Onerous afternoon at Dens Park: Rangers support's songbook, swathes of empty Dundee seats, John Nelms absent ... what must Ivano Bonetti think

Among the old ditties, many of them featuring content that ought to keep the match observer present busy, there was one song from Rangers fans’ repertoire that was conspicuous by its absence.

“You’re only here to see the Rangers!” was certainly not apt on this occasion. On a day when their Serie A loan star Aaron Ramsey was handed a rare start, the Rangers supporters had to accept their allure was still not strong enough to overcome the depth of dismay felt by Dundee fans at the current stewardship of the club.

Some might call it apathy. Perhaps anger is more fitting. This surely has to prove a tipping point.

The attendance of 5536 – including only around 1500 home fans – must be interpreted as a protest against managing director John Nelms, just as the return of the old, sadly familiar songs were a message to the Rangers top brass: if there’s to be no consultation with supporters about a ‘friendly’ with Celtic in Australia, then all bets are off. They will sing what they want. And they did. Often and loudly. Several songs were sectarian and offensive.

Most Dundee fans were not present to take any offence. This proved one to miss, as they had suspected would be the case.

Nelms' absence seemed less understandable. His empty seat in the directors’ box seemed particularly worthy of note amid the acres of empty pews. The club’s managing director is on club business in Italy and was spotted at the Italy v Scotland rugby match on Saturday.

Even Ivano Bonetti managed to make it to Dens Park from Italy in time to perform the half-time draw despite his flight having landed around half an hour before kick-off. One wonders what the former manager thought as he surveyed Dens Park, a ground that has not changed since he helped bring