Rangers 1
Dundee 5
League (Division One)

Match Report

Brilliant, that is the only word to describe Dundee's wonder win over Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday. A win which after only 11 games establishes them even more solidly at the top of the league with a five point lead over Kilmarnock.

Thousands of Dundee fans turned away within a mile of Ibrox, mistakenly lead to believe the game was fogged off, missed a real glory day for their favourites. Over the past 16 years I've taken part in and watched my old club play some wonderful games.

But I have never played in or seen a Dundee team during that period match Saturday's lot for precision finishing. It was a great though goal-less first half from both sides.

For twenty minutes Dundee's quick first-time passing produced with complete economy of effort had Rangers in a daze. The Gers had two remarkable let-offs when a Gordon Smith shot hit the post, hit keeper Billy Ritchie on the back and nestled quietly on the goal-line.

Then an Alan Gilzean special hit the Rangers keeper on it's way into the net and bounced over the bar. Mainly due to some magnificent play from Jimmy Baxter, Rangers came into the game and before the interval Dundee were on the defensive.

At half-time Bob Shankly gave young Andy Penman a pep talk and this had instantaneous effect, for Jimmy Baxter was seldom seen in the second half and Penman went on to score the final goal and assist in three others.

Alan Gilzean accomplished the almost unbelievable feat of scoring Dundee's four other goals and the big Coupar Angus boy deserves the fullest credit for this remarkable achievement.

His anticipation, positioning and execution in all of them was perfect. But it was the other Alan who proved he was no country Cousin first of all.

He started both moves which led to Gilzean's first two goals in two minutes right after the interval. Twice he forayed into his own half, carried the ball 40 yards before sending it to Penman. Andy's lob for the first one and his reverse pass for the second were inch-perfect.

These goals restored all Dundee's earlier confidence, and the ball was switched around from defence to attack with an accuracy and casualness that was bewildering.

Gilzean coolly swept in a short corner from Gordon Smith to complete his "hat-trick" before carelessness allowed Ralph Brand to head Rangers' sole crumb of comfort.

A minute later Gilzean notched his fourth goal after Gordon Smith had shed 20 years in age to produce a typical piece of Smith magic and three opponents floundering behind.

This man Smith typified the spirit of the entire Dundee side. Now 37, he was playing senior football three years before Andy Penman was born; his stamina is amazing.

When Dundee were under pressure Smith could be found back in his own penalty box clearing the danger, and at 37 he still retained the skill and football brain to give Scotland skipper Eric Caldow a most uncomfortable afternoon.
Gordon's display must have made it a particularly happy birthday for his wife Joan.

To individualise over Dundee's win is a bit unfair.
This was a historic win due to a combination of skill, camaraderie and team sense, and for that manager Bob Shankly and coach Sammy Kean can take full marks

Match report written by The Courier