Rangers had to be “a little bit lucky” to maintain their Scottish Premiership title hopes with a late comeback win over bottom side Dundee, says manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Connor Goldson turned home a loose ball in the 86th minute to make sure the defending champions go into the Old Firm derby three points behind Celtic.
Here is how all of it unfolded!
Story of the match
With only six minutes gone, Gers were left with more work to do as Dundee took the lead, Jordan Marshall’s cross from the left being shoved home at the back post by Zak Rudden.
That was a setback for the Light Blues, and it was about a quarter of an hour before they got their first serious chance when Morelos got on the end of a tantalizing Bassey cross, but he could only nod wide.
The first half ended with Dundee taking a 1-0 lead.
Van Bronckhorst replaced Helander and Arfield with Joe Aribo and Fashion Jr for the second half, and the Light Blues got off to a better start.
Goalkeeper Ian Lawlor denied Morelos twice before making a spectacular stop from a Ramsey diving header on the end of a Fashion Jr pass.
Rangers suddenly found themselves with a burst of energy, and the door opened for them to equalize on 64 minutes.
Kemar Roofe, the Gers’ third sub, performed well to steer a Tavernier ball back across goal, and Aaron Ramsey was there at the back post for his first Rangers goal.
They continued to press from there, and with four minutes remaining, they made it to the front.
Skipper James Tavernier pushed his side forward and found Roofe – Lawlor denied him, but following up – and who knows why he was there – was Connor Goldson, who rifled home from close range.
There were seven minutes of added time in the end, but Gers saw it out brilliantly, with Allan McGregor remaining untroubled.
Penalty drama
Bobby Madden was unpopular at Dens Park on Sunday, as Dundee fans were more irritated with minor fouls called against their team.
None more so than the penalty awarded to Rangers in the first half for the slightest of pulls on Alfredo Morelos by Jordan McGhee.
The referee made a terrible judgment, but it didn’t cost the Dark Blues as James Tavernier hammered the spot-kick over the bar.
Protests
There should be as little published about the complaints by visiting supporters over a money-spinning friendly in Australia as possible, other than to suggest they were self-serving attempts to waste time.
In fact, Mark McGhee believed it hampered Rangers.
From a Dundee perspective, the presence of a flag in the main stand was more significant, albeit less conspicuous.
Dundee fans have written to owner Tim Keyes, urging him to ‘assist DFC or go home.’
After a better performance from their team, the home fans were significantly less enraged this time around.
