Callum Jones strike prevents Rangers climbing to top of Scottish Premiership

Rangers passed up the chance to go top of the William Hill Premiership in a pulsating 2-2 draw against Dundee at Dens Park.

The home side took a deserved lead in the 38th minutes through striker Bradley Fink but returning Gers attacker Badredine Bouanani fired in a stunning equaliser three minutes later with his first Rangers goal.

Derek McInnes’s side came out re-energised for the second half and took the lead on the hour-mark with midfielder Nico Raskin’s long-range drive but in the 68th minute midfielder Callum Jones took advantage of Gers slackness to level with a drive and ultimately the visitors dropped two points.

However, Dundee were well worth a point with Rangers moving one point behind leaders Celtic, who can increase their lead at home to Hearts on Sunday.

After starting with the same side for three successive games, McInnes made one change, bringing in 21-year-old Algeria international Bouanani, on loan from Bundesliga club Stuttgart, for his second start with striker Kevin Kelsy on the bench.

Steven Pressley’s side were unchanged and keen to take the game to Rangers.
In the 14th minute Gers keeper Ivor Pandur saved a long-distance drive from Dundee wide-man Alan Forrest, who then set up attacker Joe Bevan who screwed a shot wide of the far post.

Pandur tipped a looping header from Ryan Astley over the bar for a corner from which striker Ash Hay crashed a header off the woodwork, with the wobbling visitors surviving.

When a long ball caused panic in the Gers defence and right-back Dujon Sterling tried to knock the ball back to Pandur, Fink, on loan from Wycombe, intercepted and rounded the Gers keeper before sliding the ball in off the near post.

Dundee celebrations had barely died down when Bouanani, after seeing his low drive blocked, picked up the rebound, shifted to the edge of the box and curled the ball into the top corner, the visiting hordes hailing the goal with some relief.

The Ibrox side came out for the second half repurposed.

Gers midfielder Kim Min-Su came close with a long-distance effort, moments before Dundee keeper Owen Goodman pushed a shot from Bouanani past the post, after the wide-man had drifted into the box.

In the 55th minute Goodman made another crucial save, this time diving to his right to thwart an effort from attacker Djeidi Gassama.

Fink had a weak header saved by Pandur and moments later the home side were made to pay when Raskin took a pass from skipper Dan Neil, looked up and sent a shot from 25 yards high past Goodman.

The Govan side quickly went in search for a third and Goodman makes two key stops from Bouanani and Gassama.

Rangers looked likely to increase their lead but the stumbling Neil was caught in possession 30 yards from goal by Jones who raced through to guide the ball  past Pandur.

Dujon Sterling was booked by referee Duncan Nicolson in the 78th minute for a foul on Forrest who was racing clear and survived a VAR check for a straight red.

In the final minute Rangers substitute Findlay Curtis saw a lob cleared away from goal by Owen Bevan and the chance of a late winner was gone.