O’Hara urges Dark Blues to ‘kick on’ in bid for top six place

O’Hara said: “We showed out there that we were all hungry and all fighting for each other.

“We want to be in that sixth position and if we are to stay there then we will have to play like that every week.

“We didn’t particularly focus on what was happening at Rangers but the manager told us at the start of the week to have a right go and we did that.

“We worked all week on pressing them high up the pitch. Rangers are a big club and it’s always difficult against them but this was about what we did.

“Now we are in the top six and hopefully we can kick on.

“To do well in a live TV game like that – we’re not often on the telly – shows the public what we are like and what we are about.

“Hopefully, teams will start fearing us now.”

O’Hara’s opening goal was an excellent left-foot shot – his first with that leg – and he was set up by Henrik Ojamaa’s cutback. He said: “I saw it coming. “I just made sure I hit the target and I was delighted to score. It was my first goal with my left foot. It was also only my second start against Rangers and I’ve scored both times so that’s not a bad ratio.”

Meanwhile, Dens boss Paul Hartley was understandably proud of his players.

He said: “I remember the ’92 game and I think the supporters will remember this just as fondly. It is not often you beat Rangers or Celtic.

“We were underdogs but always knew we had a chance if we could put that performance in. I thought it was a real team performance, how we performed and way we want about it. Our attitude and pressing were outstanding.

“We changed our shape and pressed Rangers all over the pitch because we were determined that we didn’t let them settle.

“It does take us into the top six but it is about the manner of the win.

“We know we’ve got that in us and it is consistency that has been our problem. I never thought we were in danger, even when they scored, because that came from the one time we didn’t press properly. “We were never in trouble.” Rangers caretaker boss Graeme Murty refused to use the Ibrox turmoil as an excuse for his team, saying their performance, especially in the first half, wasn’t good enough.

He said: “The (managerial) disruption has got nothing to do with players showing the right attitude and commitment.

“They were fully prepared, they know what it meant, that they would have a battle and have to more than match that.

“But I’ve been honest and told them they didn’t do that for 45 minutes.

“It’s disappointing. It’s not really easy to put into words the emotions myself and the players went through.

“We have to be better than that and it’s not acceptable, we know that and they know that and we’ll take this on the chin. But there’s no doubt, that’s not acceptable.

“Dundee were aggressive, organised and tackled hard. We didn’t match that till half-time. If you give them 45 minutes and a two-goal head start it’s hard to get back into it. “It’s incredibly frustrating. “I didn’t think we got any control on the game or managed to disrupt their pattern and shape. Dundee made the game the way they wanted it to be.”

While Dundee climbed back into the top six, the defeat left Rangers six points adrift of Aberdeen in the race for second.

To make matters worse, the visitors lost defender Clint Hill after half an hour to a head knock which left the veteran complaining of double vision, while striker Joe Garner picked up a booking that rules him out of next month’s Parkhead clash with leaders Celtic.