Dundee smash a 25-year hoodoo with Dens spark

● Hartley’s men emulate ‘Class of 92’ with effective pressing game ● Man-of-the-match O’hara ignites win, with Holt also on target ● Garner’s goal is scant consolation for unconvincing Ibrox side

A quarter of a century is a long time in anyone’s language so this victory – Dundee’s first at home over Rangers, indeed against either side of the Old Firm, since August 1992 – was rightly celebrated by their fans.

Not since the days of then manager Simon Stainrod and his jauntily worn fedora had Dundee tasted success at their own ground against the Ibrox side. Rangers subsequently embarked on a 44-match unbeaten run, which included coming within a win of the Champions League final.

Such days are long ago now. There is little chance a first defeat at Dens this millennium will spark such an impressive reaction from a currently directionless Rangers. It’s main impact should be to hasten the search for a permanent manager after the Ibrox side fell six points behind Aberdeen in the race for second place in the Premiership.

Graeme Murty’s unconvincing-looking team managed a response of sorts to going 2-0 down after first-half goals from Mark O’hara and Kevin Holt. But as the caretaker manager himself remarked, it was probably not enough to deserve anything from the game, although substitute Harry Forrester, so often a thorn in Dundee’s side, missed a glaring chance to equalise with ten minutes left. Stainrod memorably described Dundee going for Rangers’ jugular “and ripping it out” after the 4-3 win in 1992, that events demanded was recalled yesterday. While current manager Paul Hartley said nothing quite so colourful afterwards, Dundee’s game plan contained something of the class of 92’s intensity.

Lung-busting runs typified by man-of-the-match O’hara’s sprint back to rob Lee Hodson, who was lingering on the ball, summed up Dundee’s approach, as did Hartley’s decision to play 4-4-2. Dundee pressed and harried Rangers, who were two goals down after 40 minutes.

Rangers, with Kenny Miller playing a more withdrawn role, clawed their way back into it through Joe Garner’s long-range effort after 62 minutes. But despite some nervy moments towards the end, it was Dundee’s day – and one they’ve been waiting a long time to see.

This was Dundee’s 20th match at Dens against Rangers since a double from Billy Dodds and goals from Ivo den Biemen and Ian Gilzean secured a 4-3 win in August 1992. Four draws were the nearest they’d come to repeating the feat. But it felt like a special spirit in the old stadium was driving them forward yesterday, something strengthened by supporters who took their time to believe that something special could be happening.

With around ten minutes left, and the Forrester let-off having convinced the fans this could be the day, a surge of noise erupted from the home stands. They felt a win was within sight and wanted to play their part. The victory, welcome though it was, possibly should have been more comfortable.

Dundee signalled their intent from the opening seconds when Craig Wighton, playing on the left of a four-man midfield, sprinted up the flank before crossing for O’hara, who headed wide.

Both O’hara and Clint Hill, the Rangers centre-half, were