Gers put to sword

PLAYERRATINGS Fine Dundee display sees off Rangers at Dens Park

IT’S been a long time coming but surely most Dundee fans will say it was worth the wait as they saw their favourites take three points off Rangers for the first time in almost 16 years.

And it’s been even longer since they managed a home victory over the Glasgow giants — 25 years since a 4-3 win in August 1992.

It wasn’t just the length of time it’s taken to repeat that feat that makes yesterday’s performance so enjoyable for the Dens faithful, though.

It was the manner they did it in — they bullied and harassed Rangers all over the park when the visitors had the ball.

And when Dundee had it, they looked a real threat, taking the firsthalf goals with aplomb.

Right from the word go, you could see the home side were right up for this — straight from kick-off Craig Wighton brought down the ball in the left-wing area and fashioned an early chance for Mark O’Hara, who headed wide.

O’Hara made no mistake 13 minutes later, however, as good work between Wighton and Henrik Ojamaa opened up the left wing.

The Estonian’s low cross found the former-Killie man free 10 yards out and he put it in off the post.

Dundee were causing Rangers plenty of problems with the power of Marcus Haber giving the Dark Blues plenty of joy.

The big Canadian was always an out-ball for the home defence and with the busy Henrik Ojamaa around him, helped by O’Hara and Wighton, Dundee were able to get possession high up the pitch.

At the other end of the park, the home side were coping well with the Rangers attack, pushing them wide and denying any space in behind

The visitors, though, did fashion a couple of half-chances with Joe Garner heading wide and Kenny Miller hitting a volley from an angle.

Scott Bain, however, wasn’t too fussed by either.

Late in the half, Dundee got their reward for possibly their best 45 minutes of the season as Kevin Holt doubled the lead.

The left-back grabbed the equaliser the week before against Kilmarnock and made it two in two with a free-kick.

Mark O’Hara did well on the right wing before he was brought down on the corner of the area.

Whether it was a shot or not, only Holt himself knows but it was one of those whipped in across the keeper looking for a touch.

It went straight through but Wes Foderingham couldn’t keep it out of his net, palming on to the post to give Dundee a deserved two-goal lead at the break.

In the second half, a response from Rangers was expected but never materialised.

A James Tavernier free-kick five minutes into the second half brought a decent stop from Bain.

And then when they did get a goal, a fine long-range effort from Joe Garner, on the hour mark, any worries home fans might have had of their team throwing away their good work were unfounded.

The Gers only managed to fashion themselves one real chance in the last half-hour with sub Harry Forrester sclaffing wide from close range.

Rangers were poor but credit must go to Dundee for a superb all-round display.