Rangers took a step back from what former Ibrox striker Billy Dodds suggests was “a cliff edge” to their season as they survived a stiff test against unbeaten Dundee United to avoid dropping further behind in the title race.
Manager Philippe Clement suggests that the 1-0 victory showed “we are on the right track” despite a team rebuild after which “we need time to work on things”.
But time is never a friend in the Old Firm head-to-head at the top of the Scottish Premiership and former Celtic striker Chris Sutton claims “Rangers could easily go between now and 2 January and not lose another game in Scotland” yet still not narrow the five-point gap.
So where does the win at Tannadice leave Clement’s Rangers in their bid to wrest the title away from their city rivals?
Importance of Tannadice win
Clement was delighted with “a big result because it’s a hard place to come to”, especially as he “felt the synergy between the fans and the team”.
However, former Rangers striker Kris Boyd suggested on Sky Sports that, had they not responded to their 3-0 Old Firm derby defeat with a victory, fans would have been waiting at Ibrox “showing their dissatisfaction”.
Dodds agreed, saying on BBC Scotland’s Sportsound: “They are on a cliff edge just now you feel with the Rangers fans. You can see them backing the team, trying to get them over the line, because they know how tense and nervous it is out there.
“Rangers were vulnerable, but they got the job done. They are going to have to just keep chipping away until it gets better.”
Fellow former Rangers striker Steven Thompson “wasn’t overly impressed”.
“At the start of the game, they were bright and energetic,” he said.
“You see at the start of the second half, United started to press Rangers and it unsettled them a wee bit. On another day, they might have ended up with a draw.”
Celtic are the benchmark
Having ended United’s eight-game unbeaten run, Rangers must now focus on chasing reigning champions Celtic and rejuvenated Aberdeen, who have also won all five of their opening league games under new manager Jimmy Thelin.
“Whether Aberdeen can maintain it remains to be seen, but you don’t think Celtic are going to be dropping many points easily this season,” Thompson said.
“They are going to be a very difficult team to get any points off of, so Rangers couldn’t afford to come here today and drop points and go further behind.”
Sutton believes Rangers have until Celtic visit on 2 January to prove they have narrowed the gap.
“They are behind them at this moment in time,” he said on Sky Sports. “This year, it looks as if Rangers have went the other way and Celtic have improved.
“Rangers will finish second and finish second comfortably, but at the end of the day, the benchmark is Celtic.”
Forward roles ‘up for grabs’
Clement was at pains to stress again that he is building a squad under restraints that demanded he cut wages and invest in “young talented players”.
So how far down the rebuild road is the Belgian?
“Anybody who can get themselves fit and play a good run of games, can get themselves into this team – there is nothing set in stone,” Dodds suggested.
However, he and Thompson agreed that, with captain James Tavernier cemented in at right-back and Jefte assured of a start of the left in the absence of the injured Ridvan Yilmaz, the back four practically picks itself.
That is despite Thompson saying summer arrival Robin Propper “doesn’t look overly convincing, other times he does – I’ve still to make my mind up on him”.
However, both agree fellow centre-back John Souttar has been Rangers best player.
As for the midfield, Boyd does “not see their midfield trio controlling games like Celtic control games”.
However, Dodds and Thompson believe Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande have nailed down two of the central midfield spots.
That leaves the two wing berths, the number 10 role, and the striker role itself up for grabs.
“He’s still striving to find his best XI and, in forward areas, it’s about understanding combination play and connecting,” suggested Boyd. “The first goal was a good example of two players on the same wavelength – Dessers and Lawrence.”
Dodds noticed Rangers fans becoming expressing frustration at Dessers pulling out of a challenge at Tannadice.
“Overall, Dessers has done well and has a good goal ratio again, but the Rangers fans are still undecided on him,” Dodds said.
“Can they find another striker who is consistently fit who can put pressure on him? And can Dessers respond and not have off days as often as he does?”
Lawrence scored the only goal at Tannadice, but Dodds noted that the Wales midfielder “at times drifts out of the game”.
Thompson thought Nedim Bajrami “had a couple of nice touches” when the Albania winger made his debut off the bench after signing from Sassuolo, while summer arrival from Moroccan club AS FAR Hamza Igamane impressed him more.
“Whenever he got the ball, he tried to make things happen,” he added. “He looks like he has a lot of potential, the young man.”
The former Rangers trio agree that it is all about “gradual improvement” and Clement finding his “best team” – while still winning.