THE run of fixtures in December could have established Rangers as genuine Premiership title challengers. It is now in danger of undermining their hopes.

This trip to Dundee wasn’t the toughest that Steven Gerrard had to prepare his side for ahead of a crucial month. It was one that was costly to Rangers, though.

Behind after seven minutes to a Kenny Miller strike, Rangers had more than an hour against just ten of Jim McIntyre’s players to find a winner after Andy Halliday had pulled them level.

The dismissal of Nathan Ralph didn’t cost Dundee, however. Instead, it maybe even inspired them as they battled to a point that took them off bottom spot in the Premiership.

It was the ramifications at the other end that were of most concern to Rangers and the travelling support. And the reaction as the Gers made their way up the tunnel said it all about how abject their showing had been as another two points were squandered.

The final whistle at Tynecastle seven days previously confirmed Rangers’ place at the top of the table but the one at Ibrox in midweek saw them drop to second. As they took to the park at Dens, they knew a four goal victory would take them back above Celtic in the Premiership once again.

That wasn’t the main focus, though. Winning was all that mattered for Rangers as they attempted to quickly put the defeat to Aberdeen behind them and ensure they kept close to their Old Firm rivals following their emphatic victory over Kilmarnock on Saturday. They couldn’t do it, and didn’t deserve to.

The performance and the result against the Dons forced Gerrard’s hand in many respects and he had little option but to make changes as Rangers sought an instant reaction. It didn’t have the desired impact, though.

Six switches were made in all and there was a tactical alteration as well as Gerrard went 4-2-3-1, with Ryan Kent returning to the side to give support to striker Kyle Lafferty. With Daniel Candeias and Eros Grezda also interchanging positions frequently, there was certainly no shortage of attacking threat for Rangers.

It was their defensive deficiencies that cost them the first goal, though. Joe Worrall, back in the team ahead of Gareth McAuley, didn’t deal with a long ball from Ralph as he kept a close eye on Miller.

His partner Connor Goldson didn’t have that excuse, though, and he inexplicably failed to clear his lines. Miller nipped in ahead of them both and flicked the ball beyond Allan McGregor to score against his former club.

Rangers haven’t looked convincing at the back for some time as Gerrard has chopped and changed the central partnership. That matter needs addressed, but it doesn’t account for such basic errors.

It was just the start that Gerrard didn’t need. Rangers had looked threatening at times as Lafferty had twice tried his luck on the angle but the pressure was really on now.

Soon, it was relieved slightly. Candeias was scythed down by Ralph as he looked to burst into the area and the defender was sent off by referee Alan Muir.

Seconds later, the ball was in the net. Lafferty and James Tavernier were both interested in an effort from 20 yards but it was Halliday that found the top corner with a terrific strike.

There were no excuses for Rangers now. Dundee weren’t deflated by the red card as they continued to put themselves about but it was Gerrard’s side that looked more likely to get the third goal of the afternoon.

Lafferty thought he had scored it when he converted a low cross from Kent but the offside flag cut short his celebrations as Dundee were given a reprieve. The Northern Irishman was right to feel aggrieved, however, as a deserved goal at the end of a neat move was wrongly ruled out.

That decision would have frustrated boss Gerrard. He might have been relieved that his striker only saw yellow as he went head-to-head with Genserix Kusunga, however. There was little in the challenge or the exchange between the pair but, after a week where the focus has been firmly on Rangers’ disciplinary issues, there would have been a few in Light Blue that feared the worst.

A booking for each player attracted the ire from both sets of supporters but it was the home crowd that would undoubtedly have been the happier at the break. Dundee may have been a man down, but they were still in this one.

The scoreline wasn’t that positive for Gerrard but he would have been content with what he had seen from his side in an attacking sense. The game was there to be won for Rangers.

The loss of Kent was a blow but Glenn Middleton started brightly on the left flank as the Gers picked up where they left off. A hopeful effort from Jesse Curran was all that Dundee could muster in the first quarter of an hour.

Keeper Jack Hamilton hadn’t exactly been under siege, though. Rangers had plenty of the ball but there was little creativity from the middle of the park and the deliveries from wide were dealt with too easily by the Dees defence.

It was too predictable from Rangers and Dundee were comfortable enough as the clock ticked down and they edged closer to a point that seemed unlikely earlier on.

Frustrations began to build amongst the travelling support. Rangers have become accustomed to playing with ten men this term, but once again they were struggling to play against a side a man down.

As time ebbed away, so too did hope for Rangers. Eventually, both were up for Gerrard as his side dropped another two points from a game they just had to win.

In terms of their preparations for the Europa League decider with Rapid Vienna on Thursday night, it could hardly have gone much worse for Rangers.

It is the visit of Hamilton next Sunday that is their most important encounter of the week, though. Questions are being asked, and Gerrard must find the answers in the Premiership.