KEVIN THOMSON is the first to admit he made mistakes as a Rangers player that cost them goals.

But more often than not his teammates made sure it didn’t cost them points.

Dan Neil was the fall-guy in Gers’ draw in Dundee after his short backpass was seized on by Callum Jones.

During three years at Ibrox Thomson could count on the likes of Kris Boyd, Kenny Miller, Nacho Novo, Steven Naismith and Kyle Lafferty to get the goals.

But Thomson saw a side at Dens that failed to capitalise on the chances they created, which meant Neil’s mistake counted for something.

Thomson – who won two league titles, two League Cups and a Scottish Cup with Gers – said: “The front three or four at Rangers will be looking for that consistency.

“The challenge for them, if I was the manager, is can you continue to be ruthless and to have that cutting edge for the team?

“That cutting edge just makes everything easier. Then one mistake from Dan Niel doesn’t result in dropping points.

“I made loads of mistakes but maybe the guys in front of me, by the time I made my mistake, had ensured the game was already dead so it wasn’t quite as detrimental to the result.

“Unfortunately for Dan, his mistake ended up allowing his team to drop points.”

Nowadays Celtic rely on the likes of Benjamin Nygren, Calum Osmand and Mika Baur to take some of the heat off their strikers while Jota’s return will only add to their threat.

Thommo believes it’s time for the likes of Djeidi Gassama and Minsu Kim to step up for the Ibrox side in the same way.

South Korea star Minsu, 20, joined from Girona in an £8.5million deal this summer and is still chasing his first goal despite impressing in the final third.

Mauritania cap Gassama, 23, is in his second season after joining from Sheffield Wednesday when Russell Martin was boss.

Thomson said: “That’s going to be the defining factor between both teams.

“Celtic have Camilo Duran, Haissem Hassan, Jota coming back, Kasper Hogh and Osmand.

“Nygren pops up with goals, Jota’s going to pop up with goals as he gets fitter, Duran’s hitting the net.

“Hassan strikes me more of an assists man but I might be wrong. I’ve got no doubt Nygren will be aiming for between ten and 15 goals.

“The challenge for the boys at Rangers is who’s going to be that guy?

“At Rangers you’re looking at Ryan Naderi then potentially Gassama, Minsu and Kevin Kelsy. You could add Badredine Bouanani into that as well.

“I’ve got no doubt that guy to score 25 goals could have been Lawrence Shankland but he’s now injured so you’re looking for that next hero.

“Will it be Naderi? I hope so because he’s been excellent but the other ones have to take some of that load.

“Rangers have dominated the ball and created more chances. They had over 20 shots on goal at Dundee and it was similar against Kilmarnock.

“They’re not all going to score 25 but Minsu and Gassama should be trying to break that double-figure marker.

“That’s what you get judged on if you’re playing in that area of the pitch. They’re the risk-takers and the people who can make the difference.

“I didn’t realise Minsu was only 20. He’s been excellent. Every time I’ve watched him live he’s looked like a really exciting talent.

“As he settles and grows, he’ll hopefully chip in with more assists and goals. He’s come to a huge club and is expected to carry the can in that final third.

“Apart from putting the ball in the net, he’s done everything else. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s one of those players who, when he eventually gets his first goal, settles and it gives him a taste for it.

“When he samples that feeling of scoring for the club, he’ll go on and score many more.

“Gassama is still young too. I was at Livingston last season when he was booed off by the away fans after a difficult afternoon.

“But I’m that ex-player who’s sitting on the gantry watching him live who gets excited when he lands on the ball because I feel he can do something special.

“He’s got that capacity to dribble and he squares people up. I think back to when Ryan Kent first came to the club.

“He wasn’t always at his brilliant best but then he hit a level of consistency and those big moments came more regularly.

“If you ask opposition players, they would hate playing against Gassama. He just needs to add that finishing touch.

“I’ve seen him have a few wayward shots and a few fly over the bar and I’d never patronise anyone for not scoring goals because it wasn’t something I could do.

“But having watched him it’s about showing that wee bit more composure when he gets into those good areas his talent takes him to.

“He dribbles and can twist and turn and has explosive speed. It’s just adding that wee bit of quality at the end of it.

“He scored big goals for Rangers last season in Europe when he first signed for the club so we all know he’s capable.”

Celtic’s 7-1 thumping of Hearts on Sunday means Gers head into Saturday’s visit from St Johnstone four points adrift of their rivals.

The Hoops host Celta Vigo in the Europa League on Thursday then travel to Hibs on Sunday.

Thomson added: “I don’t think there should be too many alarm bells ringing. The group looks more settled.

“Saturday was a chance missed because you need to win every game but there’s still a long way to go.

“They need to capitalise on not having quite as busy a schedule as Celtic in the coming months. They need to try to turn the screw and look after their own business.”