Rangers 3 Dundee 1 LIVE reaction as Cyriel Dessers sparks comeback win at Ibrox

Philippe Clement says he lost his cool for a brief few moments in Rangers’ 3-1 in over Dundee – but he’s still left confused by a no-goal call by Kevin Clancy despite offering the whistler his apologies.

All four goals were scored in a first half dominated by controversial refereeing calls. Amadou Bakayoko put the away side ahead before Cyriel Dessers levelled up. A James Tavernier penalty was netted but the call by VAR to send Clancy to the monitor has sparked debate after a coming together in the box between Abdallah Sima and Aaron Donnelly.

Jose Cifuentes was also sent off following a VAR check for a late foul on Bakayoko, but Todd Cantwell’s effort beyond Dundee goalkeeper Trevor Carson has really irked Clement. The playmaker was in the process of scoring as Clancy blew his whistle for a foul prior to it hitting the net, and it earned the Belgian a yellow card over three seconds of red mist. But while he has offered up the hand of apology, he still doesn’t get why play wasn’t allowed to continue.

READ MORE

Rangers survived an early scare and a red card to move five points behind Celtic on a dramatic afternoon against Dundee.

Philippe Clement’s side went behind to an early Amadou Bakayoko goal before hitting back with strikes from Cyriel Dessers, a James Tavernier penalty and Abdallah Sima before Jose Cifuentes was shown a red card for a foul before the break.

READ MORE

There’s a late chance for Kemar Roofe but the Jamaican international fires over the bar.

Dujon Sterling strides forward and unleashes an excellent shot from distance that crashes off the post and falls for Sima, but he can only fire over.

There are five minutes added on to the end of this one. Rangers have managed to hold off the Dundee fightback with 10 men and could have had more goals themselves.

The young defender comes on for the closing stages to replace the Scouse midfielder.

Added time is still to be determined, but with five to play in normal time here, but Rangers look like closing this one out.

Still Rangers 3-1 Dundee.

The Dundee wing back drags back Kemar Roofe for a fairly blatant yellow.

Tavernier’s headed clearance goes across the box and finds Lyall Cameron, who is eventually swarmed by the defence as he goes to take his shot

It’s the last action for Dessers as Kemar Roofe comes on to replace him.

The Nigerian international does well to rob Shaughnessy in his own half, but he’s not quite got the pace to get his shot away and it’s able to be blocked by the backtracking Dundee defenders.

Goalscorer Bakayoko is the man to come off for the visitors and he’ll be replaced by Zach Robinson.

Sima uses his pace really well to stride forward. He cuts inside and gets his shot off but it drifts wide.

Still Rangers 3-1 Dundee.

Dujon Sterling halfs his man right on the edge of the area and Dundee have the chance to narrow the deficit.

They work a short one, and Cameron does well to get his shot off, but it goes wide.

Philippe Clement has been prowling the touchline all game, he’s been very unhappy with some decisions today. He’s picked up a booking and let Kevin Clancy know exactly what he thinks of that.

The visitors work it well out wide as Lyall Cameron times his run well to shoot low, but straight at Butland.

Ross McCausland has a decent effort saved by Carson.

There were some neat feet from the young winger to get by his man and make space for the shot.

Scott Tiffoney and Charlie Reilly are coming on for Dundee, to replace Aaron Donnelly and Zak Rudden

Ross McCausland and Dujon Sterling will come on for Rangers for the second half replacing Todd Cantwell and Rabbi Matondo.

There’s a glut of chances as Cantwell, Tavernier and Dessers are all denied moments apart, there’s a superb save from Carson in there, one off the bar and another save.

Rangers are pushing to extend their advantage.

Dundee have the ball in the net but it’s disallowed. They work the ball into the box well, but Bakayoko fouls Butland as he jumps. The ball fell for Shaughnessy who strokes it into the empty net, but the whistle goes for the free kick to Rangers.

Still Rangers 3-1 Dundee.

Dundee work themselves a very decent opening after a sloppy Barisic pass is intercepted by Luke McCowan and he races towards goal, but he opts to put the cross in instead of shooting and the chance is gone.

Abdallah Sima picks the ball up on the left-hand side and he sprints past his man to get to the byline, but he’s off balance as he puts his cross in and it’s tipped behind by Trevor Carson.

Todd Cantwell is roaming around the pitch trying to make things happen and he wins the corner well.

John Souttar sends the ball in from the right as Rangers look for a response, and he finds Cyriel Dessers, but the striker’s header goes comfortably over.

Lyall Cameron is denied by a great save from Butland, huge chance for the opening goal. It’s a corner for Dundee.

Jose Cifuentes fires a shot towards goal, but it’s straight at Trevor Carson.

Abdallah Sima’s scoring streak stands at three in his last two games and the Senegalese hitman should form at potent front three with Rabbi Matondo and Cyriel Dessers. Can he add to his tally today? We’ll find out soon enough, with kick-off in under five minutes.

Philippe Clement was speaking to club media in the build-up to the game and offered his reasoning behind the five changes made for this afternoon’s game.

Maybe the most unexpected change is that Connor is not starting but like I’ve said, 12 games in 37 days it’s impossible to play every game 90 minutes and play at your top game. So you have to take that into account.

Johnny is also doing a good job in training games so to give Connor a breather in between these important games.

Former Rangers striker Michael Mols has spoken of his recent health scare that saw him have surgery to remove a brain tumour and the Dutchman is continuing his recovery with a trip to see his old side in action.

The Dutchman was a firm favourite during his time in Govan and he’s sure to get the warmest of welcomes from the Ibrox crowd.

Rangers are overwhelming favourites to turn over Dundee today, according to the latest odds from Grosvenor Sport, while Dundee can be backed for a lengthy 12/1.

Grosvenor Sport – Rangers vs Dundee

Following Rangers’ AGM this week, the results of the voting on eight resolutions have been released by the club today.

All eight measures, including the re-appointment of four directors, having ‘offered themselves for re-appointment in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association’, were passed with around 97% in favour on each resolution.

It’s just the one change that Tony Docherty has opted for, with the experienced Ricki Lamie coming in to replace Owen Beck.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement has previously spoken of the need to use his whole squad for this hectic run of games and the Belgian has made five changes from the mideweek tussle at Tynecastle.

Danilo and Tom Lawrence miss out through injury and are replace by Cyriel Dessers and Jose Cifuentes. Borna Barisic comes back into the fold to replace Ridvan, John Souttar comes in as Connor Goldson is given a rest and Rabbi Matondo gets a rare start as he replaces Ross McCausland, who drops to the bench.

It’s wet, windy, cold and dreich in Glasgow and these are certainly not the nicest of conditions for a game of football. Here’s hoping the two teams can put on a show to warm the cockles of the fans in attendance.