RANGERS crashed to their first defeat to Dundee at Dens Park in nearly 25 years today - and fell six points behind second-placed Aberdeen in the Ladbrokes Premiership table at the same time.

Goals from Mark O’Hara and Kevin Holt in the opening 45 minutes put Paul Hartley’s side in a commanding position at half-time.

Joe Garner pulled a goal back for the visitors in the second half and his side pushed hard for an equaliser as their opponents tired visibly.

But their efforts were in vain. It was the first time since they ran out 4-3 victors way back on August 15, 1992, that Dundee had come out on top at home against their Glasgow rivals.

The defeat means that Rangers, who parted company with their manager Mark Warburton 10 days ago, are now just five points ahead of Hearts in the top flight table.

The Ibrox club must finish third in the Premiership to clinch a Europa League place and return to continental competition for the first time in six years.

The need to bring in an interim manager to take charge of team affairs between now and the end of the 2016/17 campaign is more pressing after a painful reverse.

Caretaker Rangers manager Graeme Murty made three changes to the starting line-up which he had fielded against Greenock Morton in the William Hill Scottish Cup at Ibrox seven days previously.

Centre half Philippe Senderos, midfielder Jason Holt and left back and captain Lee Wallace, who was unavailable through injury, were replaced by Rob Kiernan, Joe Garner and Lee Hodson respectively.

Senderos found himself out of the squad altogether and Kiernan, whose last appearance had come in the dire 4-1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle at the start of the month, started.

The defender was apparently subjected to abuse from his own side’s supporters following that heavy loss in the capital and he did little to win a place back in their affections here.

He failed to halt the run of Craig Wighton immediately after kick-off and allowed the midfielder to pick out O’Hara who headed wide. The attacking player and Clint Hill suffered a clash of heads and both men required medical attention.

The first goal came from an identical move to the one they nearly netted with in the first minute. Henrik Ojamma broke into the visitors’ area and cut the ball back to O’Hara who turned in a left foot shot off the right post.

Rangers’ hopes of getting back into the game suffered a setback on the half hour mark when Hill, who has arguably been their most reliable defender in a difficult campaign, had to go off as a result of the head knock early on. Danny Wilson came on in his place.

Rangers did have chances to equalise in the opening 45 minutes, but Dundee dealt with them comfortably. Garnerheaded a James Tavernier cross wide of goal while Kenny Miller got on the end of an Andy Halliday chip and turned a shot towards goal.

It was the home team, though, who edged in front four minutes before half-time after Wilson brought down O’Hara on the edge of his penalty box.

Kevin Holt stepped up and curled the free-kick through a sea of bodies and then watched as Wes Foderingham palmed the ball into his own net off the post.

Rangers played with far greater determination in the second half and Tavernier had a free-kick tipped over the crossbar by Dundee keeper Scott Bain in the 48th minute.

Garner netted a spectacular effort in the 61st minute after receiving the ball from Emerson Hyndman. He cut inside and unleashed a low right foot drive that ended up in the back of the Dundee net.

The striker was promptly booked by referee Craig Thomson for a foul on Julen Etxabeguren and will now miss the match against Celtic at Parkhead next month.

Rangers have now won just one of their last six Premiership matches - against Motherwell at Fir Park last month.