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Rangers goal was the best of Dundee star's career but he reveals he's haunted by the chance he didn't take
Rangers goal was the best of Dundee star's career but he reveals he's haunted by the chance he didn't take

Daily Record

time2 days ago

  • Sport
  • Daily Record

Rangers goal was the best of Dundee star's career but he reveals he's haunted by the chance he didn't take

Ryan Astley netted the goal of his life at Ibrox - but was devastated he didn't bag a famous winner for the Dark Blues Ryan Astley scored the goal of his life at Ibrox - but was still devastated he didn't bag a winner for Dundee. ‌ The Welsh defender was outstanding in their 1-1 draw with Rangers on Saturday and gave Steven Pressley's side a shock lead with a second-half header. ‌ Astley hailed it as the best goal of his career so far and was able to celebrate it with family in the Dark Blues away end. ‌ But after James Tavernier had levelled for Gers with a late penalty, incredibly, Astley had a golden opportunity to grab victory for the Dens Park side. His effort flashed wide at the death and the 23-year-old admits he was gutted not to seal a memorable three points for Dundee. Afterwards, he said: 'I know, I had the chance to win it. I'm going to watch that back - I still feel I should have scored so it's quite disappointing. 'The goal was definitely the best of my career so far. It felt so good because when I scored, I could see all my family who were here today. 'It was a special moment, I enjoyed it. They were stood right at the back of the Dundee end, so I'll always cherish that one. 'It was a tough game and we needed everyone to put a shift in. ‌ 'But it says a lot that we're slightly disappointed with the draw. 'When you come to Ibrox, everyone needs to work hard - do a job and a half - and I think we did that. 'I'm proud of everyone in that changing room because it was a real team performance. ‌ 'Are we disappointed not to win? Look, that's football and decisions like that happen, where you can't help it. 'But overall, we're really happy with the team performance.' ‌ It was an outstanding defensive display from Dundee, led superbly by Astley and skipper Clark Robertson at the back. Pressley's appointment at Dens was met with derision from the Dark Blues' support and they got off to a nightmare start - being knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup and losing to Hibs on the opening day of the Premiership season. But the draw at Ibrox with Rangers - their first point in Govan since 2001 - should give them encouragement for the season and Astley insists his gaffer is the right man to lead them. ‌ He said: 'Saturday was down to the work we put in on the training ground as the gaffer's drilled us really well. 'We knew we weren't going to have much of the ball against Rangers so it was all about concentration and sticking together. 'When it feels like everyone's on top of you, you defend well and stay focused. ‌ 'We're a threat from set-pieces because we work on them and one came off for us on Saturday. 'Hopefully we can keep progressing now and win our next game. 'From day one when the manager came in, all of the players bought into it straight away. 'We knew what he wanted us to do and we believed in it. Eventually, I'm sure you'll start to see positive results.'

Rangers must have belief to take more risks
Rangers must have belief to take more risks

South Wales Argus

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • South Wales Argus

Rangers must have belief to take more risks

The Light Blues drew 1-1 in their league opener at Motherwell last week but went into the game against Dundee at Ibrox on Saturday with confidence following a 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier on Tuesday night. However, the Taysiders stifled the home side while threatening in attack and they took the lead in the 51st minute through a looping Ryan Astley header. Gers centre-back Nasser Djiga was sent off for a 'last man' challenge on Finlay Robertson just before the hour mark but as the game moved into added time Gers captain James Tavernier, who came off the bench, levelled from the spot. Dessers had the ball in the net in the seventh minute of added time only to be ruled offside, which left the Light Blues with two points from six and having not won either of their opening two league games for the first time since 1989. The Nigeria striker said: 'At this club, you need to win games and to win games, you need to score goals. Sometimes it takes a risky pass to open it up, or maybe even to scare the opponent so next time they don't step through on a midfielder and they stay in position and maybe then you open up the space a little bit more there. 'It's a little bit of belief, confidence. 'There's no time at this club. Not a lot of patience, which everybody knows when they play here and that's okay, that's fine, we're fine with that. 'But somewhere inside yourself, you need to find that confidence and the courage to go out there and do that, make the pass, make the dribble, try the shot, and just to create something for the team. 'I think we showed it at certain moments and then people talk about the European games or the Old Firm games last season. But like I said, it's the consistency. 'Can you do it on a Tuesday and do it again on Saturday and do it again on Tuesday? For me, that's the thing that's the next step for us.' Dundee have next weekend off as they are not involved in the Premier Sports Cup fixtures but boss Steven Pressley, disappointed to have left Govan with only a point, will work his players in preparation for the game against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on August 23. He said: 'We've actually organised two friendlies for next Thursday because I want to give all the players 90 minutes. 'You can see we've got some players still behind in their fitness, the likes of Callum Jones who came in late was struggling, he got cramp at the end of the game. 'So we need to use this time to build towards the Kilmarnock game.'

Rangers must have belief to take more risks
Rangers must have belief to take more risks

Glasgow Times

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • Glasgow Times

Rangers must have belief to take more risks

The Light Blues drew 1-1 in their league opener at Motherwell last week but went into the game against Dundee at Ibrox on Saturday with confidence following a 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier on Tuesday night. However, the Taysiders stifled the home side while threatening in attack and they took the lead in the 51st minute through a looping Ryan Astley header. Gers centre-back Nasser Djiga was sent off for a 'last man' challenge on Finlay Robertson just before the hour mark but as the game moved into added time Gers captain James Tavernier, who came off the bench, levelled from the spot. Dessers had the ball in the net in the seventh minute of added time only to be ruled offside, which left the Light Blues with two points from six and having not won either of their opening two league games for the first time since 1989. The Nigeria striker said: 'At this club, you need to win games and to win games, you need to score goals. Sometimes it takes a risky pass to open it up, or maybe even to scare the opponent so next time they don't step through on a midfielder and they stay in position and maybe then you open up the space a little bit more there. 'It's a little bit of belief, confidence. 'There's no time at this club. Not a lot of patience, which everybody knows when they play here and that's okay, that's fine, we're fine with that. 'But somewhere inside yourself, you need to find that confidence and the courage to go out there and do that, make the pass, make the dribble, try the shot, and just to create something for the team. 'I think we showed it at certain moments and then people talk about the European games or the Old Firm games last season. But like I said, it's the consistency. 'Can you do it on a Tuesday and do it again on Saturday and do it again on Tuesday? For me, that's the thing that's the next step for us.' Dundee have next weekend off as they are not involved in the Premier Sports Cup fixtures but boss Steven Pressley, disappointed to have left Govan with only a point, will work his players in preparation for the game against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on August 23. He said: 'We've actually organised two friendlies for next Thursday because I want to give all the players 90 minutes. 'You can see we've got some players still behind in their fitness, the likes of Callum Jones who came in late was struggling, he got cramp at the end of the game. 'So we need to use this time to build towards the Kilmarnock game.'

Rangers must have belief to take more risks
Rangers must have belief to take more risks

Leader Live

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • Leader Live

Rangers must have belief to take more risks

The Light Blues drew 1-1 in their league opener at Motherwell last week but went into the game against Dundee at Ibrox on Saturday with confidence following a 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier on Tuesday night. However, the Taysiders stifled the home side while threatening in attack and they took the lead in the 51st minute through a looping Ryan Astley header. Gers centre-back Nasser Djiga was sent off for a 'last man' challenge on Finlay Robertson just before the hour mark but as the game moved into added time Gers captain James Tavernier, who came off the bench, levelled from the spot. Dessers had the ball in the net in the seventh minute of added time only to be ruled offside, which left the Light Blues with two points from six and having not won either of their opening two league games for the first time since 1989. The Nigeria striker said: 'At this club, you need to win games and to win games, you need to score goals. Sometimes it takes a risky pass to open it up, or maybe even to scare the opponent so next time they don't step through on a midfielder and they stay in position and maybe then you open up the space a little bit more there. 'It's a little bit of belief, confidence. 'There's no time at this club. Not a lot of patience, which everybody knows when they play here and that's okay, that's fine, we're fine with that. 'But somewhere inside yourself, you need to find that confidence and the courage to go out there and do that, make the pass, make the dribble, try the shot, and just to create something for the team. 'I think we showed it at certain moments and then people talk about the European games or the Old Firm games last season. But like I said, it's the consistency. 'Can you do it on a Tuesday and do it again on Saturday and do it again on Tuesday? For me, that's the thing that's the next step for us.' Dundee have next weekend off as they are not involved in the Premier Sports Cup fixtures but boss Steven Pressley, disappointed to have left Govan with only a point, will work his players in preparation for the game against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on August 23. He said: 'We've actually organised two friendlies for next Thursday because I want to give all the players 90 minutes. 'You can see we've got some players still behind in their fitness, the likes of Callum Jones who came in late was struggling, he got cramp at the end of the game. 'So we need to use this time to build towards the Kilmarnock game.'

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