Rangers miss chance to go top after Dan Neil error in 2-2 Dundee draw
Rangers led Dundee in the second half, but Callum Jones equalised after a misplaced backpass. The draw left Rangers one point behind Celtic.
Rangers missed the chance to move top of the Scottish Premiership on 17 October 2026, drawing 2-2 with Dundee at Dens Park after a Dan Neil backpass error preceded the hosts’ second-half equaliser, according to BBC Sport Scotland. The result left Rangers second, one point behind Celtic, and ended a run of seven straight wins.
Callum Jones made it 2-2 in the 68th minute after Neil mishit a backpass intended for goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, BBC Sport Scotland reported. Rangers manager Derek McInnes described the mistake as feeling like a balloon popping and called the result a missed opportunity. His side had recovered from conceding first and taken the lead before Jones struck.
How the Rangers–Dundee draw unfolded
Bradley Fink put Dundee ahead in the 38th minute. Badredine Bouanani equalised three minutes later with his first Rangers goal, according to the Press Association’s match report published by The Guardian. Nicolas Raskin then put Rangers ahead around the hour mark with a long-range strike. Rangers were chasing an eighth successive victory, but Jones’s goal secured a point for Dundee.
The Press Association described Dundee as well worth a point. McInnes also said Dundee had been good value in the first half. Reflecting on Rangers’ defending as well as Neil’s mistake, he said his team should not have to score three goals to win an away match. Dundee had opened the scoring before Rangers turned the game around.
Rangers remain behind Celtic in Premiership table
The Scottish Professional Football League’s results page recorded the draw and showed Celtic first on 21 points and Rangers second on 20 after the match. A win at Dens Park would have put Rangers ahead of Celtic at that point. Instead, Celtic had the chance to extend their lead when they hosted Hearts on Sunday, 18 October, as the Press Association reported.
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Sources and context
- Rangers 'pop balloon' at Dundee as Dan Neil gift wastes chance to go topBBC Sport Scotland
- Scottish Premiership: Rangers miss chance to go top after pulsating draw with DundeeThe Guardian (Press Association report)
- William Hill Premiership ResultsScottish Professional Football League
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.