Dundee 3
Rangers 2
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Dundee and Rangers both make one change for their clash at Dens Park. George McGeachie is unfit and Walker McCall keeps his place in the home side. Rangers bring in Bobby Russell for Robert Prytz, who is on international duty for Sweden.

Geddes has to make a sprawling save from Clark after slackness in the home defence allows the striker, to take a return pass from McCoist.

Dundee come within inches of taking the lead in the 4th minute when Ferguson slides the ball across the goal. Stephen fires a shot from 12 yards, but keeper McCloy's reach enables him to touch the ball past.

Dundee are making a bright start and a lot of the credit goes to Richardson, who is spreading passes all around with pin-point accuracy.

Good control by McCall takes him past two defenders, but he is finally surrounded.

McPherson allows the ball to run away from him and McCall steps in to crack in a shot which McCloy just manages to push away.

The first flash of Cooper produces neat play on the left and the winger takes a return pass on the corner of the penalty area to send a low shot streaking across goal.

In 18 minutes Dundee get the goal they deserve.

A ball from McKinley is missed by Paterson and FERGUSON latches on, races round McCloy and slams it into the net.

The Rangers side are not making much of their fight- back effort and Dundee look dangerous on the break.

Fraser is not far off the mark with a 25-yard shot.

There is nearly a repeat of the first goal disaster for Rangers. This time Ferguson streaks after another long ball and looks odds on to make it till Paterson slides in to deflect the ball into touch.

It is the home fans who are getting plenty to shout about and the big Ibrox following is becoming frustrated.

There are signs of desperation on the field too and Redford and McCoist haul down Richardson and Andy Geddes close to the penalty area.

Teenager McKinlay is having a cracker of a game and twice moves up with skill and pace to send over menacing crosses.

McCall concedes a free-kick in a dangerous position when he takes MacKinnon from the back. Cooper tries to float the kick over the defence and it is McCall who clears.

Ferguson breaks clear again for Dundee from a suspiciously offside position.

Both sets of fans have chances to cheer goals in two hectic minutes.

The first is for Dundee in 39 when Fraser sends over a corner from the right, MacDonald heads for goal and MCCALL gets the final touch to nod it over the line.

Rangers hit back quickly thanks to some Cooper magic on the left followed by a far post cross which gives RUSSELL an easy task to head in.

Half time-Dundee 2. Rangers 1.

Reflections-A great contest and a great performance from Dundee, who are playing slick, speedy stuff and creating chances.

A momentary lapse by home defenders gave the visitors their hit back chance. Cooper is doing his stuff on the right now and Rangers are looking better.

McKimmie and McCoist crash on the six-yard line, but the ball runs loose to keeper Geddes.

All the Ibrox pressure seems certain to produce a goal, and it does in 51 minutes. Geddes does well to push out a McCoist header from a Clark cut-back and REDFORD is on the spot to hit the ball into the net from six yards.

But there is no sign of Dens Park heads going down with the loss of their hard-earned lead, though some of the jauntiness and sparkle has gone.

Geddes has to dive smartly to push away a Cooper cross and Clark is just too far out to make contact.

There's another danger-laden Dundee break-out spear headed by Ferguson.

Fergie clashes with the advancing McCloy, but manages to slip the ball across the open goal and at the other post McCall is just a fraction slow and is beaten to the ball by Paterson.

In the aftermath Paterson is booked for an offence which is not clear and Ferguson needs treatment for a knock.

McCall spends as much time in defence as in attack and it is he who heads away a Cooper cross.

Dundee are lifting themselves just as Rangers did after the loss of two goals and they pin the Ibrox men in their own half.

But the Light Blues break out on the left where McKimmie pulls down Cooper on the edge of the box for a free, which brings awkward moments in front of goal.

With 16 minutes left Rangers send on MacDonald for Redford and Dundee replace Andy Geddes with Mackie.

A Clark header from a Cooper cross flashes wide.

A clever ball from Mackie is intercepted just before it reaches the unmarked Ferguson.

Dundee's third goal, in 80 minutes, is another disaster for Rangers and a tragedy for Paterson.

Fraser sends a cute ball forward with Mackie giving chase. Paterson flicks the ball into the air and away from McCloy

FERGUSON is on the spot to accept the gift.

Final-Dundee 3, Rangers 2.

Summing Up-A well earned victory which gave Dundee their first home league points. Rangers looked good when they came back, but Dundee never gave up.

Match report written by The Sporting Post