Dundee 0-2 Rangers
Dundee frustrated Rangers for 82 minutes
Two late goals gave SPL leaders Rangers an unconvincing victory at Dens Park.
A dreadful first half saw neither goalkeeper tested as the visitors looked sluggish and a well-organised Dundee defended in numbers.
Rangers posed more of a threat in the second period and Marvin Andrews headed them in front from a Fernando Ricksen corner after 82 minutes.
Two minutes later, Ricksen made the points safe when he tucked away a close range strike.
The first shot of the game came in the 15th minute and was fired harmlessly wide by Rangers skipper Ricksen. Dundee's only threat in the first half arrived in the 35th minute when Calum MacDonald swung in a cross from the left and Neil Barrett was only millimetres away from meeting it with his head.
Former home favourite Nacho Novo made a dangerous run from the halfway line, evading a couple of challenges, but his final touch was too heavy and Dundee goalkeeper Derek Soutar rushed out to gather.
Novo then dragged a shot wide after a move he had set up himself saw Gregory Vignal feed the ball back into the danger zone from the left side of the box.
A dismal first 45 minutes ended with Dundee's Bobby Mann firing in a free-kick from 25 yards, but Rangers goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus was safely behind it.
Five minutes after the break Novo was first to reach a low cross from overlapping full-back Maurice Ross but the striker scuffed his shot wide.
Rangers were looking more positive but Dundee packed men behind the ball and the visitors found themselves crowded out in and around the penalty area. Steve Lovell instigated a rare Dundee attack with a good run down the left flank but Michael Ball managed to prevent Tom McManus reaching the resulting cross.
Rangers striker Dado Prso got his head to a Thomas Buffel cross in the 78th minute but Soutar dived to clutch comfortably.
Buffel, a second half substitute, caused Soutar a problem with a looping shot but the young 'keeper was able to tip it over the crossbar.
Ricksen swung in the corner and Andrews charged in to power a header into the net.
Soon after, Rangers stretched their lead when Prso cut the ball back into the path of Ricksen and the midfielder calmly stroked it home from eight yards.
