Missed penalties pile pressure on Rangers

Dundee 2 Rangers

Rangers are in a tight spot now. Mikel Arteta may have rescued a point yesterday at Dens Park, when he converted a late penalty after Barry Ferguson had earlier missed two, but that could not disguise a day that could damage their title hopes.

Celtic could rip that lead away, albeit on goal difference, if they win at Motherwell on Wednesday and after scrambling a draw against the side they will meet in the Scottish Cup final, there are no certainties that Alex McLeish's side will take any of the remaining two prizes, let alone the coveted Treble.

Fabian Caballero's two breathtaking first-half goals increased Rangers' self-doubt, and if the Argentinian plays like that at Hampden Park on 31 May, the trophy could go to Dundee, not Ibrox.

However, Rangers could be drained before they get to the Cup final. Arteta's 85th-minute equaliser was harsh luck on Dundee, but the damage was all self-inflicted.

Lee Wilkie scored an own goal and then gave away the two penalties that Ferguson missed. Wilkie's first act was to present Rangers with a lead in the first minute, swiping at Arthur Numan's cross and stabbing the ball past his own keeper, Julian Speroni.

However, Caballero restored parity in the 17th minute with a glorious goal. The Argentinian seized on Craig Moore's poor pass and was allowed time to measure a 20-yard shot that flew in off the post of Stefan Klos.

Caballero beat Klos again in the 28th minute, picking the ball up in his own half and running at the bemused Rangers defence, who retreated enough to provide the space for another searing right-foot shot that flew past Klos.

Wilkie, though, was a liability. He conceded a penalty seconds before the interval when he brought down Michael Mols, but was let off the hook when Ferguson crashed his kick off the bar.

Wilkie conceded another penalty with eight minutes left, heaving into Shota Arveladze. Ferguson stepped up again, but this time Speroni beat the kick away.

However, from Arteta's resulting corner, Dundee's Dave Mackay was judged to have handled the ball, and this time Arteta took over to sweep his right foot penalty past Speroni.

Dundee (4-4-2): J Speroni; Mackay , Wilkie, Khizanishvili, Hernandez; Smith, Rae , Nemsadze (Mair, 90), Carranza (Milne, 75); Caballero , Lovell (Burchill, 75). Substitutes not used: Langfield gk), Novo.

Rangers (4-3-3): Klos; Muscat (Hughes, 81), Moore, Malcolm, Numan; Ricksen, Ferguson, Arteta; de Boer (Arveladze, 67), MOls, Lovenkrands (Caniggia 67,). Substitutes not used: McGregor (gk), Konterman.

Booked: Dundee: Hernandez, Lovell; Rangers: Malcolm, Muscat.

Referee: J Rowbotham.

Man of the match: Caballero.

Attendance: 9,195.