Barry Ferguson makes 'massive' admission on difference maker Badredine Bouanani
It was a frustrating evening for the Gers at Dens Park last weekend, as Derek McInnes' side were held to a 2-2 draw.
But there was a telling contribution from 21-year-old Bouanani, who signed on loan from Stuttgart in the summer transfer window.
Rangers were trailing through Bradley Fink's opener, before Frenchman levelled with an excellent equaliser before the break.
Nicolas Raskin then put Rangers ahead, but Callum Jones' goal meant McInnes' side saw a seven-game winning run come to an end.
However, former Rangers captain an ex-interim manager Barry Ferguson saw enough to be convinced about one thing with Bouanani.
What did Barry Ferguson say about Badredine Bouanani?
Ferguson said in midweek that he was surprised by the decision to drop Kevin Kelsy to the bench against Dundee.
It was a point he re-emphasised in his Daily Record column on Thursday, opining that the Venezuela striker has forged a good partnership with Ryan Naderi.
He felt as a result that Naderi found himself too isolated at times against Dundee, which affected Rangers in attack.
However, Ferguson said he can understand why McInnes was keen to get some minutes into Bouanani.
Moreover, he believes the 21-year-old will be a "difference maker" who can make a "massive" contribution to Rangers this season.
Ferguson wrote: "I understand why he (McInnes) wanted to find a place in the starting XI for Badredine Bouanani and the winger showed why with a stunning equaliser.
"He then had another terrific effort in the second half which was only kept out the back of Dundee’s net by a top-class save.
"Bouanani looks like a difference maker to me. He has the ability and the end product to make a massive contribution to the team.
"He’s just been short of playing time so it’s no wonder Del wants to get him up to full speed as quickly as possible."
How does Derek McInnes fix Rangers' attacking conundrum?
This is a case of several things being true all at once.
Rangers definitely lost something by leaving Kelsy out of the starting XI, and it was a bit puzzling given how well he has been playing with Naderi.
At the same time, there looks a real player in Bouanani, as evidenced by his equaliser against Dundee.
So, how does McInnes fix the issue? Well, one obvious solution feels to stick with two strikers, but bring Bouanani in for Djeidi Gassama.
You could then use Gassama's pace and directness as a weapon off the bench against tiring defences.
It's just something to ponder, but McInnes will ultimately be the man to make the call.