Rangers were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw in the first home game of the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season as a late James Tavernier penalty spared Russell Martin’s blushes after his side were on the brink of defeat to Dundee.

A second-half goal by Ryan Astley looked to be sending Dundee away with a shock three points, but with 91 minutes on the clock, the continuously impressive Djeidi Gassama burst into the box and went to ground under a challenge from Drey Wright, with substitute James Tavernier dutifully stepping up and dispatching the penalty following a VAR check.

Rangers thought they had won it in the 97th minute when Cyriel Dessers slotted home, but a VAR check confirmed the Nigerian to be offside, much to the relief of Dundee, who had played superbly up until that point.

Dundee manager Steven Pressley had implemented a game plan for his side to sit back and stifle the home side, which worked to brilliant effect, as despite Rangers being the better side in the opening 30 minutes as they controlled possession, they were unable to create any chance of note.

It was Dundee that came away from the first half after having the better chances, with Clark Robertson having struck the post twice from two headers, which highlighted Rangers’ defensive fragility.

Robertson had given Rangers two clear warnings of Dundee’s attacking threat from set pieces, which were not heeded by the home side, as just six minutes after halftime a free kick was floated towards Robertson at the back post, who nodded the ball on to Astley, who looped a header over Butland to give the away side a shock lead.

Rangers’ issues were compounded just seven minutes later when Finlay Robertson was slipped in, with Nasser Dijga having no choice but to pull him down to avoid Dundee having a golden opportunity to make it 2-0, with the centre-back given a straight red card.

Martin’s side looked totally bereft of any attacking ideas throughout the match, and this was only made worse by the loss of Djiga, as the home side failed to create anything more than a half chance following the Dundee goal.

However, as the game entered added time, summer signing Gassama used his pace to get into the box and looked to be wrestled to the ground by Wright, with Rangers awarded a penalty.

Following a nervy VAR check, a penalty was awarded, with Tavernier stepping up to slot home, much to the relief of those in dark blue. However, as the full-time whistle went, a brief chorus of boos rang out throughout Ibrox as Russell Martin’s side dropped yet more points in their 2025/26 Scottish Premiership campaign.

Written by Riley Taylor

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