Dundee 3
Rangers 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Dundee for the drop? Not a chance on last night's display, which warmed the hearts of every Dens Park fan.

Despite Rangers erratic form, few clubs can give them a goal of a start and hope to survive. But Dundee, after going behind in only five minutes stormed back with a great display of fighting spirit and striking skills their opponents couldn't match.

Before half time a Ray Stephen double made it 2-1 and an early goal from Ian Ferguson in the second half sewed up two vital safety points for Dundee.

It was a night to be savoured by the home club especially with Dundee United's contribution at Firhill. The only disappointment was the poor crowd of 7975.

The whole team were heroes all of course, but special mention to two goal Stephen, and to the player who laid on both his goals, Albert Kidd has never played a better game for the Dark Blues.

Rangers were but a shadow of the old Ibrox teams. But, being Rangers, they'll probably come again in time for the Scottish Cup final.

The visitors went ahead in five minutes, with a poor goal from Dundee's point of view. A long clearance from keeper Stewart carried on the wind, bounced and went over Smith's head, leaving MacDonald in the clear.

He expertly lobbed over the advancing Geddes, and already Dundee faced an uphill battle.

The home side were badly rattled, and had to take some strong Rangers pressure. A Jackson header from a Johnstone corner kick wasn't far off target.

Sinclair fastened on to a clearance at the other end, but shot well wide.

Rangers went close again in 15 minutes. A deflected McClelland cross from the left spun across the goalmouth, MacDonald just failing to push the ball home.

But Dundee were settling down. Following a corner kick, Fraser stepped up to hammer in a low shot which tested Stewart. Then a fine shot from Ferguson forced the keeper into a diving save.

It was cruel luck on the Dens Parkers when a 25-yard shot from Kidd escaped from Stewart's arms and bounced off the post before being cleared.

In the next minute, both Fraser and Ferguson missed by inches, and the Dundee fans rose in sympathy and encouragement for their team.

The well-deserved equaliser came in 31 minutes. It started with a Jardine give away picked up by Kidd on the left.

He did well to take the ball to the goal line, and his low cross was swept into the net by Stephen.

It was breakneck stuff now. Dawson worked a one-two with Cooper, then hit his shot wildly into the crowd.

But Dundee were not to be denied, and three minutes from half time they struck again.

Once more Kidd supplied the final pass, this time from the right, for Stephen to shoot low past Stewart for his second goal. No wonder the home team and fans celebrated.

Dundee, with wind and slope in their favour were soon on the attack again.

Kidd, a livewire for the home side, laid on a pass for Fraser to shoot strongly, but it went straight to Stewart. When Rangers did raise a gallop Geddes had to push out a dangerous cross from Russell.

Dundee's third goal came in 58 minutes-a beauty too. Sinclair put over a great crossfield pass to the onrushing Stephen on the right. His low cross found Ferguson in the clear and with the easy task of scoring from five yards.

This was heady stuff from the home side, who looked the near top of the table club rather than Rangers. The Ibrox side did plenty of buzzing about without worrying Geddes very much.

Dundee still carried the thrust, and a low Sinclair header from a Ferguson cross troubled Stewart.

In 62 minutes Rangers replaced Jackson with Black. The newcomer's first touch of the ball was a wild pass back which beat his own keeper and just went over the top.

Dundee brought on Mackie for the limping Ferguson and at the same time Rangers made their second substitution, Lyall for Redford.

The visitors, though lacking inspiration, kept going forward, and Dundee, perhaps a bit tired, had to face a few scrambles in front of Geddes.

With five minutes left young Gerry Davidson came on for Fraser.

Rangers had a final fling, a cracking shot from full-back Dawson coming back off the post and in "extra time" Geddes pulled off a brilliant save from Lyall.

Match report written by The Courier