Rangersvs.Dundee

The Gers suffered a damaging defeat to title rivals Celtic in the Old Firm derby on Saturday, whereas the Dark Blues were bested at the home of Hearts.

Match preview

Following back-to-back wins in the opening two matches of the post-season split, Rangers witnessed their Scottish Premiership title dreams all but end on Saturday lunchtime, when the Gers were unable to get anything from a clash with Celtic in the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park.

Matt O'Riley's strike and an own goal from Rangers' John Lundstram had Brendan Rodgers's troops two head after 38 minutes, and despite the visitors pulling a goal back at Parkhead courtesy of Nigerian striker Cyriel Dessers, the Premiership challengers could not complete the turnaround.

As a result, Phillipe Clement knows that his side's chances of stealing the Scottish crown off Celtic are extremely slim heading into the final two games of the league term, with Rangers needing to be flawless against Dundee and Hearts to keep hold of any chances of a 56th top-tier title.

The Gers are currently occupying second position in the Premiership standings ahead of Tuesday's match at Ibrox, six points behind Celtic who are on course to record their third straight first-placed finish.

Dundee extended their winless run in the Premiership to six matches on Saturday afternoon, when the Dark Blues were blown away by Europe-chasing Hearts at Tynecastle Park, meaning that Tuesday's visitors have lost all three of their contests since the post-term split.

Before the always-reliable Lawrence Shankland made sure of the Maroons' victory with a 90th-minute strike - his 21st league goal of the term, the hosts in Edinburgh had raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of Kenneth Vargas and Alan Forrest.

Having collected zero points from matches with Celtic, St Mirren and Hearts in the Championship Group, Tony Docherty's side are sitting bottom of the section in sixth, needing back-to-back wins before the conclusion of the campaign to have any chance of qualifying for the Europa Conference League.

Netting nine goals during his maiden term in the Premiership, Luke McCowan has received plenty of plaudits from coaches and fans alike, with the 26-year-old firing the Dark Blues to an impressive top-six finish this season.

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

D

L

D

W

W

L

Rangers form (all competitions):

L

D

W

W

W

L

Dundee Scottish Premiership form:

L

D

D

L

L

L

Team News

After receiving his marching orders during the Old Firm derby on the weekend, former Sheffield United man Lundstram will be suspended for this match.

Leon Balogun missed the Celtic defeat due to a muscle injury and it remains to be seen whether he makes a recovery for Tuesday night's match.

Rabbi Matondo and Abdallah Sima are big absentees in the Gers front line, leaving Clement with a short of options for the tip of his attack.

Dundee are without the services of centre-back Joe Shaughnessy due to a knee injury, with the 31-year-old now out for the remainder of the campaign.

Diego Pineda has not featured for the Dark Blues during the current calendar year because of a thigh injury.

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Butland; Tavernier, Davies, Souttar, Barisic; Diomande, Raskin, Sterling, Lawrence, Silva; Dessers

Dundee possible starting lineup:

McCracken; Astley, Portales, Donnelly; McGhee, Cameron, Boateng, McCowan, Dodgson; Mellon, Bakayoko

We say: Rangers 2-0 Dundee

With a win needed on Tuesday night to keep their chances of lifting the league crown alive, Rangers should be raring to get the better of an out-of-form Dundee.

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