Rangers poor away form in the Scottish Premiership continued with a 1-1 draw against Dundee which left the Gers 15 points behind leaders Celtic.
The Light Blues started the game with just three wins in 10 league games away from Ibrox which decimated their title hopes and fell behind in the sixth minute when attacking midfielder Oluwaseun Adewumi capitalized on a poor save to fire the home side into the lead.
Gers winger Vaclav Cerny equalized in the 34th minute with Gers first shot on target, but there was no flurry of progress from an inconsistent Govan side on a freezing night on Tayside, and a labored, uninspiring performance against Tony Docherty's lively Navy side saw them well adrift from their Old Firm rivals in what can hardly be called a title race.
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Chris Boyd and Chris Sutton launch scathing review of Rangers and manager Philippe Clement after 1-1 draw with Dundee
It was more ammunition for those who believe Philippe Clement's time at Ibrox should be up – fans certainly let players know their feelings eventually – and he needs to do something positive in the transfer window to prevent further pressure on his shoulders.
Following the 3-3 draw against Hibernian at Easter Road at the weekend, Clement has again had to dig deep into his squad due to injury and suspension.
Dundee's Oluwaseun Adewumi celebrates after scoring
Key players such as Jack Butland, James Tavernier, Leon Balogun, Neraysho Kasanwirjo, John Souttar and Dujon Sterling were missing due to various illnesses, while midfielder Nico Raskin was suspended and his place was taken by Connor Barron.
Rangers conceded the first at Dens Park
French defender Clinton Nsiala, a 20-year-old defender signed from AC Milan in the summer, made his first senior start in a makeshift Gers defence.
Dundee star midfielder Lyall Cameron was a late addition to Docherty's long list of 10 absentees.
Aaron Donnelly, who signed from Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, was put straight into the game with 19-year-old midfielder Cesar Garza starting first and Ethan Ingram returning.
Clement was keen to stress that the inclusion of Nsiala was “not a test” for Sterling, but he was as limp as the rest of the Gers' defense in the Dundee opener.
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Dundee midfielder Oluwaseun Adewumi stunned Rangers with an early finish to give the hosts the lead
The visitors failed to mount their first real moment of pressure and when Scott Tiffoni's shot was blocked wide, Josh Mulligan quickly cut the ball back for 19-year-old Burnley loanee Adewumi, whose shot from eight yards beat Gers goalkeeper Liam Kelly.
A shaken Rangers side looked nervous every time the ball entered the box, and they were just as unconvincing going forward.
Vaclav Cerny celebrates after scoring to make it 1-1
However, Dundee's defense was breached when Gers tackle Hamza Igamane brought Cerny into the box and the Czech Republic winger, on loan from VfL Wolfsburg, calmed down before slotting the ball through the legs of Carson for his 11th goal season, Gers supporters are happy that Nsiala's challenge on Simon Murray in the Gers box moments earlier went unpunished.
Clement replaced Janis Hagi with Rabbi Matonda at the start of the second half and he helped Dundee back towards an own goal, with Carson saving a Cerny drive in the 56th minute after panic in the home defence.
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Vaclav Cerny completed a devastating move to bring Rangers level against Dundee
Rangers left-back Jefta, who was booked for a foul on Tiffoney in the first half, turned a Dundee man on the touchline but no foul was called to the frustration of the home fans, who then saw Adewumi tap in Murray's cross in the 65th. minutes. only to be ruled offside.
Clement brought on Brazilian striker Danilo for Barron, a positive change, but it was still a struggle to break down a resolute Dark Blue defence.
In the 72nd minute, Carson parried a powerful drive from Igamane to safety before Adewumi shot high over the bar at the other end moments later, before forcing a save from Kelly with a shot after the drive.
With four minutes remaining, Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande hit the woodwork from 25 yards and there was more pressure but no more goals in another poor league outing for Rangers who must hope reinforcements arrive during the January transfer window.
Clement: Not good enough
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Rangers manager Philippe Clement reacts to his side's 1-1 draw with Dundee amid growing fan pressure
Rangers manager Philippe Clement:
“We didn't have enough clean chances. We weren't good enough in the last pass today.
“We didn't show enough to make a difference. We were not decisive enough. We had enough moments to be there, but we didn't make enough of the right choices.
“It's normal (the fans are) unhappy. I'm also unhappy that we didn't take the three points. I know I'm the face of the team, that's part of my job.”
Rangers' Hamza Igamane responds to Dundee's opener
Docherty: I'm really proud of the players
Dundee manager Tony Docherty:
“It was such a strong team performance, considering we have 10 players.
“We were fantastic against the ball and presented a real goal threat. I'm really disappointed with the goal, I have to go back, but I think it was a penalty.
“It was such a clumsy challenge from their defender and Simon Murray goes down. We don't react to that second phase though.
“We had a great move to score offside and I thought we were actually going to win at the death.
“I'm really proud of the players, I'm a bit disappointed, but of course I'm happy with the point against Rangers. I have to be happy with it.”