Rangers now appear deep into an exciting new chapter under Mark Warburton’s management. Already closing in on promotion back to the top flight after a four-year absence, they blew Dundee away yesterday to secure a place in next month’s Scottish Cup semi-finals.
The enticing prospect of facing Celtic then, or in May’s final, remains, and on this compelling evidence winning the competition and securing European football next season is not beyond them. This was arguably their best performance under Warburton, full of verve and belief against opponents who were expected to give them a far tougher test.
Dundee had not lost in their previous eight matches, including Wednesday’s 0-0 draw at Celtic Park. Yet if they had been resolute on the other side of Glasgow, Paul Hartley’s side swiftly dissolved at Ibrox, conceding after just 13 seconds.
Rangers ripped into them straight from kick-off and when Kevin Holt lost a key challenge in midfield, Harry Forrester drove on at the remainder of Dundee’s defence before firing a right-foot shot into the top corner of their net.
Dundee looked crestfallen and it was a surprise that they did not concede further goals by half-time. Their anxiety was reflected in Holt hitting his own post as he attempted to deal with a cross from Barrie McKay, who provided excellent width and wit for Rangers.
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He was among various contenders for man of the match. Dominic Ball excelled at the base of Rangers’ midfield with a vigilant performance, captain Lee Wallace scored the fourth in his 200th appearance, but shading them all was 36-year-old Kenny Miller, who seemed to be everywhere.
Wallace heaped praise on him afterwards. “Kenny is ageing, there is no doubt about that, but he’s getting better in my opinion,” he said.
“He’s a player who can play any position, I even think he could play in the back four. His intelligence levels are rising and his work ethic and desire is brilliant. It’s a huge positive for us to have someone of Kenny’s standard in our side. We could have big games towards the end of the season and he knows what it’s like to play at the highest level. There is no one better to rely on than Kenny Miller in my eyes.”
Miller’s combinations with McKay, Forrester and his midfielders suggested that he has found the same fountain of youth that David Weir used to drink from. A slick combination with McKay almost created Rangers’ second until Darren O’Dea intercepted with the winger waiting to tap in.
O’Dea and Gary Harkins had invited the wrath of Ibrox beforehand. The former Celtic defender said that Rangers should have been stripped of titles won in the era when they were using employee benefit trusts to pay their players, while Harkins referred to them as “a new club”.
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Rangers reminded their fans beforehand to respond with “silent contempt” amid fears that the provocation could lead to various renditions from the sectarian songbook. Yet no statement could have soothed Ibrox more than Forrester’s early goal and the domination which followed, although further goals remained as elusive for Rangers as their attackers did for Dundee’s defenders.
Dundee gradually realised they were still in the game and belatedly made inroads into Rangers’ half. Harkins had dragged an early chance marginally wide, but as half-time approached there were further moments of alarm in Rangers’ box with Kane Hemmings escaping Rob Kiernan before been crowded out and then almost connecting with Harkins’ knockdown inside Rangers’ six-yard box.
Had Dundee learnt their lesson at the start of the second half? Had they heck. Within 88 seconds, they were two down and this time there was no way back. Again, the pace and imagination with which Rangers created the chance was impressive, but Dundee’s defending was staid. Forrester lofted a pass into McKay, he flicked on to Miller, who arched with impressive agility to knock the ball across goal for Jason Holt to nod home.
This time, Rangers were ruthless and soon had their semi-final place under lock and key as Andy Halliday curled a low free kick into the bottom corner after the relentless Miller was fouled on the edge of Dundee’s box. The visitors could not even claim a consolation goal and Wallace finished them off with six minutes to go, moving smoothly between O’Dea and Paul McGowan before finishing calmly as Ibrox went crazy.
Today’s semi-final draw will hold absolutely no fears for Rangers after this domineering performance.
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Rangers: Foderingham 6, Tavernier 7, Kiernan 6, Wilson 6, Wallace 8, Ball 8, Holt 7 (Law 78min, 5),
Halliday 7, Forrester 7 (Shiels 73min, 6), Miller 8, McKay 8 (Clark 73min, 5)
Dundee: Bain 6, McGinn 6, Konrad 5 (Kerr 68min, 5), O’Dea 5, Holt 4, McGowan 5, Ross 6, Stewart 6,
Harkins 6, Loy 5 (Wighton 55min, 5), Hemmings 6
