The long wait for Dundee to win the Scottish Cup again continues into its 113th year. With the fight to get Bass out of the league and the fact that Falkirk has bravely challenged Celtic for the league title, many believe Dundee’s interest in the Scottish Cup is coming to an end. Dundee finds themselves last in the Scottish Premier League right now. Ten incredible matches include two replays in the semi-finals and the 1910 Scottish Cup final, while the road to Ibrox also begins with a first-round repetition with non-league Betts.
Rangers beat Dundee 3-0 in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, with the hosts losing to defender Lee Ashcroft at half-time in what appeared to be a repeat of a hamstring injury. An early goal from Connor Goldson, a first-half penalty from James Tavernier and a late goal from Fashion Sakala ensured a one-sided victory in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals and the first-time semi-final in four years. Connor Goldson gave the Rangers a good start with a 10-minute lead before James Tavernier doubled the score.
In the ninth minute, Defender Connor Goldson gave the Light Blues before skipper James Tavernier scored from a spot 24 minutes later with Dundee unresponsive. James Tavernier and his teammates scored against Red Star Belgrade in Govan and deservedly won 3-0, giving Rangers a great chance to reach the quarter-finals. Fourth consecutive all competition victory for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team, who had a brilliant start and took the lead after a goal from Tavernier. The Rangers dominated Dundee, and Ryan Kents’ attempt was pulled off the line by Jordan McGee.
Morelos and Aaron Ramsey were close before referee Steven McLean, much to the annoyance of the Dundee players, awarded Rangers a penalty for Ryan Sweeney’s foul on James Tavernier. The Rangers have had a Jekyll and Hyde season of sorts – they’ve been great in continental competition and wildly erratic across the country – but there was no fear at Dens Park this afternoon against Dundee. Had Rangers performed better against Dundee United away and Motherwell at home this season, they could have been five points clear of leaders Celtic with eight games instead of three lags.
The focus will now be on the Scottish Cup, and given they haven’t reached the final since 2016; the Rangers will want to fix that this season. A much bigger and more hostile test now awaits Rangers at the Red Star Stadium on Thursday night as Rangers look for a place in the Europa League quarter-finals. It seems Rangers will make it to the Europa quarters as they have a commanding lead over Crvena Zvezda. Crvena has never lost to a Scottish side in home European matches in the previous six meetings with them (W3, D3).
