Rangers step back from ‘cliff edge’ with restorative win

However, Dodds and Thompson believe Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande have nailed down two of the central midfield spots.

That leaves the two wing berths, the number 10 role, and the striker role itself up for grabs.

“He’s still striving to find his best XI and, in forward areas, it’s about understanding combination play and connecting,” suggested Boyd. “The first goal was a good example of two players on the same wavelength – Dessers and Lawrence.”

Dodds noticed Rangers fans becoming expressing frustration at Dessers pulling out of a challenge at Tannadice.

“Overall, Dessers has done well and has a good goal ratio again, but the Rangers fans are still undecided on him,” Dodds said.

“Can they find another striker who is consistently fit who can put pressure on him? And can Dessers respond and not have off days as often as he does?”

Lawrence scored the only goal at Tannadice, but Dodds noted that the Wales midfielder “at times drifts out of the game”.

Thompson thought Nedim Bajrami “had a couple of nice touches” when the Albania winger made his debut off the bench after signing from Sassuolo, while summer arrival from Moroccan club AS FAR Hamza Igamane impressed him more.

“Whenever he got the ball, he tried to make things happen,” he added. “He looks like he has a lot of potential, the young man.”

The former Rangers trio agree that it is all about “gradual improvement” and Clement finding his “best team” – while still winning.