Rangers find a way to hit back and win at Dundee

Rangers kept in Celtic’s slipstream – but only just – after Connor Goldson’s late strike gave the disjointed Ibrox men a 2-1 win over Dundee at the Kilmac stadium.

Christie Elliott stunned the visitors when he headed the cinch Premiership’s bottom side into the lead in the sixth minute, and the nervy champions failed to take advantage of a controversial penalty just before the break when captain James Tavernier hammered his spot-kick over the bar.

Aaron Ramsey levelled in the 65th minute with his first Rangers goal since signing on loan from Juventus in January, and with only four minutes of normal time remaining, defender Goldson forced in the dramatic winner to Light Blues’ relief.

With seven fixtures remaining, Rangers moved three points behind Celtic as domestic football stops for the international break before resuming with a crunch Old Firm game at Ibrox.

Dundee remain four points behind St Johnstone but Mark McGhee, in the dugout for the first time after beginning his tenure as boss with an outstanding six-game touchline ban, can take encouragement from the performance.

Amid a gruelling fixture list which includes progression into the Europa League quarter-finals where they face Braga, Giovanni van Bronckhorst freshened his side up.

Ramsey made first league start for Rangers as fellow midfielders Scott Arfield and James Sands and defender Filip Helander returned.

McGhee brought back goalkeeper Ian Lawlor, Shaun Byrne, Declan McDaid, Elliott and on-loan Partick Thistle striker Zak Rudden and his changes worked a treat in the first half.

A launch of streamers from the Gers supporters meant an early stoppage in the game but when it resumed Rangers, in a new 150th anniversary white kit, were soon in state of shock