Rangers challenged not to blink at Dundee on weekend where 'somebody is going to suffer' in Premiership

Rangers legend Barry Ferguson reckons his old side need to take advantage of Celtic and Hearts playing one another, on a weekend where ‘somebody is going to suffer’ in the Scottish Premiership.

Last season’s title race rivals play at Celtic Park a day after Rangers play Dundee at Dens Park. The Light Blues currently sit two points behind leaders Celtic and three ahead of second-placed Hearts - but a win in the City of Discovery will mean that will change one way or another.

Rangers, Celtic and Hearts all won last weekend against Kilmarnock, Motherwell and St Mirren respectively. Last season despite the trio dominating - this was a rarity. Rangers dropped out of the race after the split due to four defeats in four games, while runners-up Hearts were pipped by Celtic on a dramatic final day. Ferguson believes that if Rangers have title ambitions this time around, games like Sunday where they can gain a psychological advantage could prove key.

Why is three points against Dundee particularly important?

In his Daily Record column, he wrote: “Saturday’s win over Kilmarnock has set them up nicely for a very important six game block before the next international break. And what they have to do now is turn this seven game winning streak into eight and to make sure they are back at the top of the table when they get back to Glasgow on Saturday night.

“Last season, if you remember, there were very few occasions when Rangers, Hearts and Celtic all won on the same weekend. That happened in the previous round of fixtures but it most certainly can’t happen again over these next couple of days, with Hearts going to Parkhead on Sunday afternoon. That means somebody is going to suffer this weekend. And it simply can’t be Rangers - that’s the mentality they’ve got to have. That’s the attitude which might just make this season one the Rangers supporters will never forget.”

If they are to go top, they’ll need to overcome an in-form Dundee side. Manager Steven Pressley has the Dark Blues playing good stuff with an energetic, young squad. They currently sit fourth in the standings. It’s a ground Rangers have never found it easy visiting in recent years, but Ferguson thinks there’s something in the air which gives him confidence for their upcoming trip.

Why is Ferguson confident for Saturday night?

He continued: “I’m starting to see signs of a very different Rangers side this season. And, while I never like to be complacent or overly confident, let’s just say I’m feeling much more relaxed and calm about their prospects travelling up to Tayside on Saturday night. I think, for the first time in a long time, this Rangers team is physically and mentally ready to go to places like that now.

“You’ve always got that nagging doubt in the back of your mind and you certainly have to respect Dundee because Big Elvis has got them flying and playing some really good stuff already this season in spite of a number of injuries. But I’m just not as worried about it as I might have been before because, if it turns into a bit of a battle, I know that this set of players will be able to handle it.

“It’s why I’m confident they’ll find a way to chalk up an eight straight win on Saturday night. If it becomes all a bit up in the air and back to front, with individual battles all over the pitch, I genuinely don’t believe they’ll allow themselves to be pushed around or bullied.”

(The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly)