Rangers 1
Dundee 0
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Newspaper extract from The Courier.

Dundee are still anchored in the second bottom position in the Premier League despite a splendid showing against Rangers at Ibrox last night.

Had the Taysiders possessed one forward with any semblance of finishing skill they could have salvaged a priceless point.

But the Dens Park side fell down badly in this department and shooting practice is the number one priority on this showing-no doubt about that! On the other hand, the Dundee defence was superb.

Ally Donaldson's handling was immaculate. Leaping, diving and clutching he almost broke the hearts of the Ibrox attack. Millar, Schaedler and Glennie never put a foot wrong.

The service provided by McLaren and McGeachie should have been reflected in goals but only Mackie up front consistently carried out threats.

This was Rangers' sixth win in a row and takes them into thentop half of the table. No praise is too high for the Dundee defence in the first half. The Dark Blues were magnificently served in the rear standing up to intense Rangers pressure in a manner that was inspired.

Donaldson was superb. He brought the house down in the fourth minute with a wonder save from a Cooper rocket after the winger had cut in from the left on a cross field ball from Dawson and thundered the ball for the far corner.

Dundee had their chances in the ensuing play but could not cap their leading up with goals as McCloy defied all their attempts at beating him.

Lucky break Mackie tried to break through on the right but Dawson ran across to sweep the ball info touch before the winger could centre.

Dundee had a lucky break when Johnstone cut the ball back from the by-line to Russell who swept it for the net. Fortunately for the Taysiders it was deflected in the nick of time.

Murphy was always dangerous on the break and the left winger almost did the trick with a raking left-foot volley from 30 yards which dipped over the bar.

Donaldson rescued Dundee when McDonald rose to bullet a Jardine cross for the net. The keeper made a superb stop at full stretch and McGeachie completed the clearance.

Straight to keeper Dundee's lack of punch was evident on the restart when Shirra slammed a Mackie cross straight at McCloy. Then Glennie took Dundee out of a tight spot by deflecting a close range Cooper volley.

Fleming tried to break the deadlock with a full blooded volley on the run which was brilliantly touched round thenpost by McCloy. Murphy's corner went to the centre who cut his finishing drive over the bar.

There was tragedy for the gallant Dundee defence in the 60th minute when Rangers forged ahead.

Fittingly it was created by Rangers' best forward-Davey Cooper.

His inswinging corner from the left went to Jackson who had come downfield. The big pivot's header went to Stevens who toe ended the ball past the helpless Donaldson.

New boy Corrigan replaced Murphy in the 73rd minute.

As Dundee fought for an equaliser a Mackie volley was blocked. The ball rebounded to McLaren whose first time drive was grabbed by McCloy at full stretch.

Rangers took McDonald off in the 79th minute and Smith substituted.

Fleming lost a chance when Mackie centred on the run by not getting his head to the ball properly and it spun off him-an opportunity that Dundee could not afford to miss as they battled for a precious point.

Forsyth of Rangers was booked in the last two minutes for a foul on Fleming.