RANGERS full-back James Tavernier is desperate for his side to reinvigorate their league campaign against an in-form Dundee at Ibrox today when they return to action following the international break.
Mark Warburton’s side returned to the top flight this season but have often appeared vulnerable, winning only five of their opening 12 league matches.
They are still in third place in the league table but any aspirations of a title challenge have evaporated, with Celtic 11 points ahead already.
Rangers have been beset by controversy, too, with Joey Barton exiting Murray Park earlier this week following an ill-fated spell north of the border.
Another summer signing, Niko Krancjar, also faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury in training, while there have been rumours of a bust-up between Warburton and striker Martyn Waghorn.
Those incidents have all appeared in bold print as Rangers made headlines for the wrong reasons, but a return to league duty this afternoon offers them a chance to tell a more positive story.
The visit of Dundee is also the first of a series of fixtures which could allow Rangers to build positive momentum going into the New Year.
“We’ve almost been disappointed the way we have started the season,” said Tavernier. “We have not played as well as we could have done and dropped points where we shouldn’t be dropping points.
“We have shown good glimpses of how well we can play football and if we carry on doing that then the points will come in and we will do better than we started off.
“We are getting there. The boys are gelling and people are filling in for other people. It’s good at the minute. I do see signs that we are getting to the best we can be and hopefully we can show that this weekend.”
Dundee will not be short of confidence when they arrive at Ibrox, with Marcus Haber relishing the chance to maintain their recent form this afternoon.
“We have won two games, so that’s the first thing I look at,” said the striker, who scored first goal for the club in a 2-0 win over Motherwell earlier this month.
“If I can put in a good shift up there, hold the ball up, link with the team and score the odd goal then I feel like I am doing my job. The last two results have gone our way and the group is confident, for sure.”
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