Rangers trailed Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic by nine points on Christmas Day.

They won the Old Firm derby a little over a week later.

Yet somehow, they’re already absurdly worse off than they were just a fortnight ago.

Following the meek draw with Dundee on Thursday – the eighth time in 11 away games Rangers have dropped points – Celtic now have a 15-point advantage.

Just 10 days into the new year, an important resolution awaits Ibrox chief executive Patrick Stewart as yet more questions mount for manager Philippe Clement and his inconsistent players.

“Scandalous.”

That’s how former Rangers striker Billy Dodds described his old club’s efforts away from Ibrox in the league this season. Curiously, they seem to be fine in Europe.

But in 11 Premiership games, they have enjoyed just three wins – at Dundee United, St Johnstone and Ross County. And two of those have been by a solitary goal.

“It’s horrendous for a club of Rangers’ stature,” Dodds added on BBC Sportsound. “You’re not putting in a challenge, never mind winning a title with that form.”

Post-match, manager Clement agreed. It’s hard not to when his side have only reaped 13 points from a possible 33 on their travels.

More than anything, this perhaps illustrates the point…

Before their Boxing Day win at Dens, Ross County hadn’t won an away game in over 15 months. Two weeks on, they now have just one away point fewer (12) than Rangers this season.

“It’s done. It’s over to Patrick Stewart now. This can’t continue, it’s impossible.”

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd pulled no punches in his Sky Sports post-match verdict as Clement again insisted his side will return, regroup and recover.

The Belgian boss also reiterated this is a new, young squad, hampered by injuries.

The latter cannot be doubted – though Dundee have 10 first-team players out themselves – but Clement has now been assembling his team for over a year.

Growing pains are no longer an excuse.

So what, if any, progress has been made during Clement’s reign?

He had a hold on one piece of silverware in the League Cup but lost that last month in the controversial final defeat by Celtic.

When he took over in October 2023, Rangers’ city rivals were seven points clear.

At this point last season, the destination of the trophy was still a doubt. This January, Celtic Park has already been punched into the satnav.

Yes, Clement finally defeated Celtic on 2 January at Ibrox but, since then, he’s seen his side drop four points. One step forward, two steps back.

“You can talk about progress, there’s none,” Boyd fumed. “You absolutely destroyed Celtic a week ago, and you’re struggling for confidence?

“There were no confidence struggles going into the Celtic game. It can’t just be a one-off.”

When referee Calum Scott peeped his full-time whistle, it was in danger of being drowned out by the boos from the away end at Dens Park.

On a bitterly cold night in Dundee, the travelling support were kept warm by their fury, pointing with disgust and screaming from the soles of their frozen feet.

It was one of those nights they’ve become all too accustomed to this season.

As the clock ticked down, Vaclav Cerny had one attempt but there was no sign whatsoever of an onslaught from a Rangers team who needed a winner.

“I just don’t think the players, the manager or the fans believe they can go on and win a game like this,” former Rangers striker Rory Loy said on Sportsound.

Exasperated, angered, exhausted – whatever the predominant emotion is, Clement says he shares it.

He “understands” the very vocal frustration of the fans made clear – again – as the players plodded off the pitch.

But since Christmas, they’ve been scarred by performances against St Mirren and Motherwell and witnessed a collapse against Hibs.

Now, they can add another night where their side shrunk when it mattered.

The fans will now be discussing where this result leaves their manager and their club.

So what do you think needs to happen next at Rangers? Have your say here, external