AliousRangers pulled off yet another jaw-dropping turnaround at Dens Park on Saturday, overcoming Dundee in a thrilling 4-3 victory despite trailing by two goals on two separate occasions. The home side raced into an early lead with Simon Murray and Joe Shaughnessy finding the net within the first twenty minutes, leaving Rangers scrambling.
An own goal offered the visitors a lifeline before halftime, but Scott Tiffoney’s strike after the break seemed to put Dundee back in control. However, James Tavernier, Tom Lawrence, and Cyriel Dessers had other ideas, staging a dramatic fightback to snatch the win in breathtaking style.
Despite the triumph, goalkeeper Jack Butland’s struggles continued, as he let in two or more goals yet again in the Scottish Premiership. This match shed light on a staggering statistic about Rangers’ leaky defense.
In their past five league outings, the team has shipped two or more goals each time, a trend that includes the defeat to St. Mirren at home—where Philippe Clement lost his job—as well as a wild 4-2 victory over Kilmarnock. Butland’s vulnerabilities were also exposed against Motherwell and in the Old Firm clash with Celtic.
BBC Sportsound’s Alasdair Lamont, commenting on March 29 at 17:53, pointed out a historic low: “The second goal means that Rangers, for the first time since April 1986, have conceded two or more goals in five straight league matches. Pretty astonishing.”
Meanwhile, Barry Ferguson’s fate as Rangers’ interim boss could hinge on their Europa League campaign. With Celtic running away with the Premiership title under Brendan Rodgers, Rangers lag far behind. After sacking Clement in February, the club turned to Ferguson, who has since worked wonders, guiding them to the Europa League quarter-finals by knocking out Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in the last 16.
His interim stint has bolstered his case for the permanent gig at Ibrox.
As a potential takeover looms for the Glasgow outfit, the incoming owners will keep a close eye on Ferguson’s performance in the upcoming two-legged tie against Athletic Club. The first match is set for April 10 at Ibrox, with the return leg a week later at San Memes.
Should Rangers advance to the semi-finals, Ferguson’s odds of securing the managerial role long-term would skyrocket, giving the new ownership a compelling reason to stick with him at the helm of the Scottish powerhouse.
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