Amid a sea of empty seats at Ibrox, defender Sam Cleall-Harding managed to nod the Taysiders in front after 21 minutes. Dessers then equalised with a header just five minutes later. It was quite a thrilling start to the match, with both teams showing their attacking prowess early on.
Dessers went on to convert a penalty in the 73rd minute, marking his 28th goal of the season. This impressive feat brought his total to fifty goals since joining Rangers from Cremonese two seasons ago. Midfielder Nicolas Raskin also got in on the action, adding a third goal for the team. The defeat left United in fifth place, with hopes of securing a European spot in their upcoming home game against Aberdeen.
The match also had a bittersweet undertone as it may have been the final home game for Barry Ferguson, the former Rangers captain who took over as boss until the end of the season. Speculation about Davide Ancelotti potentially taking over as the next Rangers boss has been circulating, adding to the anticipation for what lies ahead for the team. Despite their Europa League quarter-final run, Rangers have had a tough domestic season, leaving fans eager for a new chapter under potential new leadership. As they gear up to face Hibernian in their final game of the season, Rangers are already planning for a rebuilding phase in their quest to catch up with Celtic.
In a game that had an end-of-season vibe, both teams made changes to their lineups. Jack Butland returned to the goal, possibly hinting at a farewell appearance as Liam Kelly had taken over his spot recently. Meanwhile, striker Hamza Igamane replaced Nadim Bajrami in the starting lineup. United boss Jim Goodwin also made some alterations, with goalkeeper David Richards making his first league start and Cleall-Harding, Allan Campbell, and Kai Fotheringham joining the lineup. The match started off slowly, with Igamane’s header missing the target before Butland made a crucial save to deny Middleton’s shot. However, it was Cleall-Harding who broke the deadlock with a headed goal from a corner.
Dessers then equalised with a header of his own, setting the stage for a thrilling second half. The striker later converted a penalty to put Rangers ahead before Raskin sealed the victory with a powerful strike. The game had its fair share of drama, with penalty claims and VAR interventions adding to the excitement. As the season comes to a close, both teams will be reflecting on their performances and looking ahead to the future with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.
