It’s the game which has been more than a month and two rearranged hotel trips in the making for Rangers against Dundee.
The impact of the rearranged Dens Park clash might actually also be understated in Rangers’ domestic campaign.
For all the posturing about league tables being insignificant to the final 180 minutes of football, Rangers’ title momentum was badly interrupted by the initial call-off.
Ensuring Celtic would have a lead at the top of the Premiership to defend at the recent Old Firm at Ibrox, it altered the dynamic heading into the fixture.
The second call-off – a genuinely calamitous and disgraceful affair from which neither Dundee nor the SPFL come out looking well – also badly disrupted Rangers last week.
Whilst it wasn’t an “excuse” for the Ross County defeat, it was still important enough for Philippe Clement to cite come the final whistle.
Now, with the match about to be played, Rangers know that anything but a victory over Dundee will see fans turn in their swathes on a team who have too often crashed and burned at the final hurdle.
Who will take to the field for Rangers v Dundee?
So without further ado, who actually is that team they call the Rangers?
Rangers have suffered badly from injuries all season long and heading into this game the biggest news surrounds Mohamed Diomande and Ridvan Yilmaz. Both will miss the Dens Park encounter.
It means Rangers’ defence likely picks itself.
Jack Butland – who’s been out this week rallying the troops – is nailed on to start as goalkeeper whilst James Tavernier, Connor Goldson and John Souttar have been regular features as of late.
Even if they’ve been routinely lambasted for a catalogue of defensive deficiencies.
We suspect Borna Barisic, hooked in Dingwall, has played his final game for the club with Dujon Sterling to fill in at left-back.
In midfield, the increasingly exhausted John Lundstram is a shoo-in to start as doubts gather around a new contract.
With options limited, we suspect Tom Lawrence is going to get the nod in beside him with Todd Cantwell occupying a more offensive midfield berth.
Up top, Abdallah Sima, Cyriel Dessers, and Rabbi Matondo are the three most on form forwards and for us, a potent enough frontline to see off Dundee.
It means Kieran Dowell, Borna Barisic and Fabio Silva have all been dropped in our predicted XI following defeat to Ross County.
Dundee v Rangers – Rangers predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
GK – Jack Butland
DR – James Tavernier
DC – Connor Goldson
DC – John Souttar
DL – Ridvan Yilmaz
CDM – John Lundstram
CDM – Tom Lawrence
CAM – Todd Cantwell
RF – Rabbi Matondo
ST – Cyriel Dessers
LF – Abdallah Sima
