Rangers drop two points at Dundee to stay one behind Celtic in Premiership

Rangers passed up the opportunity to move top of the Scottish Premiership, held to a 2-2 draw by Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday. Derek McInnes’s side remain second, one point behind Celtic, who face Hearts at home on Sunday and could extend their advantage.

Dundee took a deserved lead in the 38th minute when Bradley Fink, on loan from Wycombe, intercepted a misplaced back-pass from right-back Dujon Sterling, rounded goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, and slid the ball in off the near post. The celebrations had barely subsided when Rangers hit back: Badredine Bouanani, the 21-year-old Algeria international on loan from Stuttgart, saw his initial low drive blocked, collected the rebound, shifted to the edge of the box, and curled a stunning effort into the top corner for his first Rangers goal.

McInnes had made just one change from the side that started the previous three games, handing Bouanani only his second start. The visitors came out re-energised after the break, and midfielder Nico Raskin put them ahead on the hour, taking a pass from captain Dan Neil and sending a 25-yard drive high past Dundee keeper Owen Goodman.

Rangers’ lead lasted just eight minutes. Midfielder Callum Jones capitalised on slack defending from the visitors to drive home an equaliser in the 68th minute, ensuring Dundee — who had been the better side for long spells — took a point they thoroughly merited.

Goodman had been busy throughout, making crucial saves to deny Djeidi Gassama and Bouanani in the second half, while Pandur had earlier tipped a looping Ryan Astley header over the bar and watched Ash Hay crash a header off the woodwork at the other end.

The result means Rangers’ title challenge now depends partly on Celtic dropping points, with McInnes’s side having failed to convert a winnable away fixture into the top spot they briefly had within their grasp.