Dundee 1-2 Rangers: Late Connor Goldson goal keeps champions in title race

Rangers had to be a little bit lucky to keep their title hopes alive, says manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

The defending champion went into the Old Firm derby three points behind Celtic afterConnor Goldson scored a loose ball in the 86th minute.

James Tavernier missed a penalty as Rangers fell behind. Goldson struck before Ramsey scored his first goal for the club.

It was a relief to get the three points. It was a tough game, according to Van Bronckhorst.

We didn't start well. Sometimes you have to be a little bit lucky as we created more in the second half. We were in the end when the ball dropped.

Today could have cost us two big points but we kept the belief and worked hard to get the win.

• Reaction & as it happened

With just seven games remaining, Dundee is four points adrift of the play-off place.

The Dens Park side were thrashed by Rangers in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals seven days ago.

Mark McGhee was back on the touchline for the first time after completing a six-game ban and they started brilliantly and went in front when Jordan Marshall crossed from the left.

Their work rate on an even pitch was a cause for concern, and their miscue over the bar from the spot summed up their first half display.

The game was delayed for a third time as Rangers fans protested the Australia friendly with Celtic by throwing toilet paper onto the pitch.

The team found their rhythm.

After denying Morelos, Aribo and Ramsey, Ian Lawlor turned the ball in from two yards out after Kemar Roofe saved his goal.

The World Cup play-off between Austria and Rangers on Thursday will be a boost to Wales and Rangers as a result of Ramsey's goal and performance.

The dominance of the ball was told after the equaliser.

Goldson gambled by staying up the pitch after a set-piece, and when another Roofe effort was blocked, the centre-back was there to sweep home the crucial goal.

Man of the match - Jordan McGhee

What did we learn?

If they are to save their status, they will need a display like that from Dundee.

In the first half, wing-backs Marshall and Elliot got out to Rangers wide attacking threats in Tavernier and Ryan Kent and prevented them from having any influence.

Rangers had a chance to score in the first half, but the three centre-backs of McGhee, Ryan Sweeney and Cammy Kerr did a great job of defending their box.

The team ran out of steam in the last half hour and as crosses and passes into their box kept coming, there was an inevitability about Rangers winning.

This was not a good performance by the champion. After a tiring night in Belgrade, Van Bronckhorst made a rare move of rotating his team heavily.

They regained their composure in the second half on a difficult surface and put Dundee under enough pressure to fold.

Getting over the line and being only three points behind Celtic is a big boost for the team. They would have been drained of their energy.

What they said

Rangers piled on the pressure in the last half-hour, so we can't argue that, says Mark McGhee.

I was happy with our first-half performance, the shape, the strategy, the execution of it, and the goal we scored. Everything we did on the training pitch was taken out there.

We start to run out of energy. I don't think my boys could have given more.

I thought we showed great character. We didn't play to our potential in the first half and we knew we had to perform better in the second half.

We were patient on the ball, the substitute made an impact, and I am really pleased to come away with three points.

What's next?

After the international break, Rangers face a crucial title tussle with Celtic at Ibrox on the next day, while Aberdeen host Dundee.

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• RangersRangersRangers

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Formation 4-5-1

• 21Lawlor
• 16ElliottBooked at 45mins
• 2Kerr
• 6McGheeBooked at 40mins
• 5Sweeney
• 3Marshall
• 18McMullanBooked at 41mins
• 8Byrne
• 10McGowanSubstituted forAndersonat 53'minutes
• 11McDaidSubstituted forMcCowanat 83'minutes
• 20RuddenSubstituted forMcGinnat 72'minutes

Substitutes

• 15Mulligan
• 17McCowan
• 19Robertson
• 22Daley-Campbell
• 24Anderson
• 30Sharp
• 35Rossi
• 77McGinn

Formation 4-2-3-1.

• 1McGregor
• 2Tavernier
• 6Goldson
• 5HelanderSubstituted forSakalaat 45'minutes
• 3Bassey
• 19SandsBooked at 56minsSubstituted forRoofeat 64'minutes
• 4Lundstram
• 16RamseySubstituted forKamaraat 84'minutes
• 37ArfieldSubstituted forAyodele-Ariboat 45'minutes
• 14Kent
• 20MorelosSubstituted forBalogunat 87'minutes

Substitutes

• 8Jack
• 9Diallo
• 17Ayodele-Aribo
• 18Kamara
• 25Roofe
• 26Balogun
• 30Sakala
• 31Barisic
• 33McLaughlin

1. The match ended with Rangers 2.

2. The second half ended with a score of 1, Rangers 2.

3. Ryan Kent won a free kick.

4. The person is foul by the person.

5. Ryan Kent is a player for the Rangers.

6. In the defensive half, Cammy Kerr won a free kick.

7. Ryan Kent won a free kick.

8. Foul by Max Anderson.

9. The Rangers had a substitution. Leon Balogun is the new replacement for Alfredo Morelos.

10. Goal! The Rangers were defeated by Dundee 1, 2. The left footed shot from the centre of the box by the Rangers'Connor Goldson went to the high centre of the goal.

11. The attempt was blocked. Kemar Roofe's shot from the centre of the box is blocked. James Tavernier assisted.

12. It was an attempt, Rangers. Calvin Bassey tried a through ball, but Alfredo Morelos caught him off guard.

13. The Rangers had a substitution. Ramsey was replaced by Glen Kamara.

14. There was a substitution in Dundee. Declan McDaid was replaced by Luke McCowan.

15. Fashion Sakala (Rangers).

16. Jordan Marshall won a free kick.

17. The attempt was blocked. James Tavernier's shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Fashion Sakala has a cross.

18. The attempt was blocked. James Tavernier's shot from outside the box is blocked.

19. John Lundstram won a free kick.

20. Foul by Christie.