Dundee 0
Rangers 2
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Newspaper extract from Bill McFarlane | The Sunday Post.

If Dundee felt hard done by over the fee fixed by the League for Iain Ferguson's transfer to Rangers two months ago, they must feel the entire world is against them this morning.

Because not only did the bold Fergie score the all-important opener against the run of play, but he was obviously unavailable for Dundee when they were awarded a penalty at a crucial stage of the proceedings.

In Fergie's Dark Blue days, a penalty was as good as a goal for Dundee. However, when Dawson was harshly adjudged to have fouled Rafferty in the box, Albert Kidd blasted the award well wide.

To add salt to Dundee's wounds another former player, Ian Redford, wrapped up the two points with as fine a goal as you'll see all season. He took on three defenders in the box. Survived all three challenges. Then cool as you like lobbed the ball into the top corner of the net.

After that there was no doubt Rangers deserved to win. Yet one was left with the feeling Dundee had the ability to take something from this thoroughly entertaining encounter.

After an even-steven first half they paid the penalty for relaxing 30 seconds before half-time. Cooper fired over a rather inept corner but skipper McClelland fought to retrieve the ball.

From Cooper's second attempt Paterson headed the ball down and Ferguson blasted the loose ball into the back of the net.

Prior to this, although Carson had a couple of fine saves, the best chance of the half fell to Connor. He should have burst the net from 12 yards. Instead he dallied and Walker was given time to reposition himself and save well.

Despite spending almost £2,000,000 on their squad, Rangers are still a long way from being the finished article. In fact, for most of the game Dundee were their equals.

The home side had excellent performances from Carson, McGeachie, McKinlay, Rafferty and Brown. If only they could find the killer touch to round off some fine outfield play, their worries would surely be over.

Rangers, who had yeoman service from Walker, McClelland, Paterson, Redford and Russell, appeared still to have much to do if they are to return to the top of the walk in Scotland. They are still a bit too much individualistic to be the finished article.

But, in a game which kept the crowd on their toes from start to finish, no one could condemn the effort of both sides. In fact, in the referee's eyes, there was possibly too much of that as he booked Ferguson and Dawson for dissent and McCoist and Kidd for fouls on the respective keepers.