Dundee v Rangers | 9th Nov 2025 | Match Preview

On Thursday night, Rangers broke another club record. It used to be the case that a statement like that was synonymous with success. Perhaps most wins in a row. Or an unbeaten streak at Ibrox. Or a new best start to a season. Now when fans hear we have broken a new record, they think ‘oh no, what is it now’. In this case, it is seven European losses in a row.

Whilst the league has always been the bread and butter, Europe was a well of fine wine that Rangers drank from season after season, even if things were poor domestically. Now, even that well has dried up.

The European ship has blown its horn and is about to leave the port. Rangers must now turn all their attention to the return of league action on Sunday with a trip to Dundee.

A visit to an 11th placed side with a grand total of two wins this season should not be fraught with danger and angst. Yet it is. And that is indicative of the nadir that Rangers find themselves in. On this form and with this team, no side can be underestimated and securing one point, never mind three, cannot be taken for granted.

Despite languishing down near the bottom of the table, Steven Pressley’s side have a decent record against the big sides this season. They were soundly beaten by Hearts in the last Premiership outing but versus the Old Firm, Dundee have beaten Celtic 2-0 and drawn 1-1 at Ibrox. To label them giant killers would be flattery to the Old Firm – neither side have been giants this season – but Dundee have certainly shown they can take on both sides of Glasgow.

Outwith their success against Rangers and Celtic, Dundee have had little to celebrate. Whilst the bottom of the table is tightly packed, four losses in that past five games and the worst goal difference in the league has caused negativity and malaise to creep in.

Simon Murray, who was so prolific last year, has only managed one goal in eight. Swansea loanee Cameron Congreve has proven to be a creative threat with five assists in nine but has largely had to take on the attacking burden himself.

At Rangers, the attack has been just as blunt. James Tavernier is their current top scorer in the league with four goals and whilst that is not unusual, only Danilo has netted more than once – with a grand total of two to his name.

Much has been said of the profligate summer transfer window. So far, Thelwell’s signings have been a paradigm of how not recruit. Of the thirteen players signed, it is not an exaggeration to say they have all been, at best, subpar.

However, the poor player performances and insipid attacking numbers have to be caveated with the fact the season started with Russel Martin. A win on Sunday and Danny Rohl will have secured three league wins in a row. Martin had one to his name. Over time, Rangers should halt the regression and start the progression to their mean.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Rohl said “you need wins and wins create confidence.” Given the state Rangers are in right now, this is especially true. The whole squad feels fragile and at times, almost traumatised. The same can be said for the fans. That trauma can only be healed by moving on and replacing the bad memories with good ones. Win on Sunday, and the dark days of Martin will start to look smaller in the rearview mirror.