NAGGING ROUTS
Gers turn on style with a rampant win – but a Tynie problem keeps them under cosh in title battle
STEVEN GERRARD told his players to be ready to pounce on any slip-ups from their rivals and they did their bit. Another ruthless display looked like being enough to close the gap on leaders Celtic to six points only for word of an injury-time Hoops winner at Tynecastle to deflate Ibrox. But Rangers did at least strengthen their grip on second with a stroll that sent them eight clear of Aberdeen ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Cup clash at Pittodrie. It was another good night’s work as Gerrard’s side made it 14 goals in three games. There was, however, still that feeling it could have been so much better had Hearts held out. Twelve days ago Gerrard told his players to forget about the title and it looked like he’d have to rethink that until Odsonne Edouard popped up with a winner along the M8.
Gers remain eight behind in what would be a tall order but with the same gap between themselves and the Dons, at least finishing best of the rest seems likely now.
And it’s safe to say Rangers have had worse weeks. For a club that has been used to turmoil in recent years, the last seven days have been as straightforward as they come.
Progress in the Scottish Cup on top of a £5million profit announced in the half-yearly accounts – plus their rivals lost a manager.
Against that backdrop the Light Blues effectively killed last night’s game off eight minutes in as Glen Kamara’s first senior club goal after 82 games and James Tavernier’s 14th of the season left Dundee rattled.
Alfredo Morelos, back from a ban, made it 3-0 before the hour and is now just two short of becoming the first Gers striker since Kris Boyd a decade ago to hit 30 in a season.
The rout, completed by sub Jermain Defoe, made it nine without defeat in Gers’ longest unbeaten run since reaching 12 back in September.
As for Dundee, they’ve shipped four goals in five of their last six visits and their misery was compounded as they slipped into a relegation play-off spot, Hamilton
leapfrogging them with a shock Pittodrie win. Jim McIntyre’s men travelled south at least taking heart from the fact that despite playing 70 minutes with 10 men they held Rangers to a draw in December.
Any pre-match hope didn’t last long as a familiar face came back to haunt them inside four minutes.
Martin Woods fouled Morelos after being nutmegged, Tavernier swung in the free-kick and Kamara timed his run perfectly to sidefoot home.
It became clear it was going to be a long night when Dundee went two down just five minutes later.
Scott Arfield showed fine vision to pick out Morelos and Seny Dieng could only parry the 22-year-old’s effort into Tavernier’s path before the full-back finished from close in.
Darren O’Dea complained to ref Don Robertson of a late challenge by Morelos that left him on the turf. And the talisman inflicted further pain on Dundee when he netted before the clock had struck the half-hour.
Kamara picked out Ryan Kent on the edge of the area and he threaded a through ball for Arfield who fizzed across the six-yard box for Morelos to turn it in at the back post.
The Dens defence was at sixes and sevens as Daniel Candeias pulled a shot just wide before half-time.
Rangers were motoring going in at the break and had the luxury of taking off an impressive Arfield as Steven Davis was brought on for a much-needed 45 minutes in his legs.
The home side could have added a fourth soon after the restart when Kent slipped in Morelos but Dieng pulled off a point-blank stop.
With a third straight win already in the bag Ibrox was a little subdued as Rangers stayed in cruise control. But the crowd came to life when news of a Jambos goal filtered through.
Kenny Miller was sent off on his last visit in September and was given 22 minutes, replacing Jesse Curran.
And just a minute in, the 39-yearold striker had Dundee’s best chance of the night, meeting an Andy Dales cross only for former team-mate Allan McGregor to deny him.
Borna Barisic went close to a fourth when his free-kick crashed off the underside of the bar.
Ryan Jack was one of the few who hadn’t had a crack at goal but sent one just over before Barisic was unlucky again with a similar effort.
Rangers wouldn’t be denied No.4 though as Jack slipped Defoe – on for Candeias – through and he showed great strength to hold off Ryan McGowan before slamming home.