Jon McLaughlin penalty save helps Rangers claim narrow win at Dundee

It wasn’t until the 59th minute that things truly exploded. Jon McLaughlin, the visiting keeper, was the focus of considerable attention after committing a last-man foul on Dundee striker Paul McMullan which, in turn, led to him denying Jason Cummings from the resultant penalty.

But the much bigger issue was whether McLaughlin should still have been on the park to thwart Cummings, who was a first-half substitute for Leigh Griffiths, from the spot.

Bobby Madden, the referee, also came under serious fire for proceeding only to caution McLaughlin rather send him packing and it was a decision which left the home team – who remain rooted at the foot of the table without a victory – quite visibly outraged.

James McPake, the Dundee manager, was so up in arms that he marched no less than 60-yards to confront Madden on full-time and he was promptly red-carded for his troubles.

Rangers, who can now turn their attention towards Thursday night’s Europa League trip to Sparta Prague, arrived at Dens having lost their earlier visit to Tayside this season by going down 1-0 to Dundee United at Tannadice.

But they faced a Dundee who had failed to score in their previous four outings and were finding life tough since earning promotion from the Championship.

And the hosts were dealt some further adversity to contend with just 24 hours before kick-off when Leigh Griffiths was charged for apparently kicking a flare into a stand of fans during Wednesday night’s 2-0 League Cup quarter-final defeat by St Johnstone.

The on-loan Celtic striker had issued an apology on Thursday but was nevertheless charged on Friday after arriving on Tayside for training.

Dundee were still also missing Charlie Adam, their influential midfielder, through injury but Griffiths at least had some support up front on this occasion. 

Suffering back-to-back defeats is never the best preparation going into any encounter with one half of the Old Firm.

But losing to city rivals Dundee United 1-0 in last Sunday’s derby at Tannadice, before going down to holders St Johnstone on cup business meant they went into this visit of the champions hardly brimming with confidence.

Gerrard, meanwhile, opted to make two changes from the side which defeated Livingston 2-0 to set up a League Cup semi-final tie with Hibs in November.

James Tavernier, the captain, returned along with Ianis Hagi at the expense of Nathan Paterson and Scott Wright.

Yet it was the hosts who began brightest. McMullan wasted on time in embarking on one of his trademark runs and ended up taking a shot, which was blocked by Calvin Bassey.

Rangers, though, soon looked to establish their dominance on proceedings. Dundee defender Ryan Sweeney did well to block Alfredo Morelos’ shot on the turn before Kemar Roofe’s curling effort from just inside the box whistled narrowly past Adam Legzdins’ far post.

However, a couple of minutes later Dundee passed up a sitter in front of goal.

Liam Fontaine’s cross picked out Jordan McGhee who’d managed to momentarily evade the attention of the Rangers defence.

McGhee had time to place his header but it lacked purchase as well as direction and meekly rolled tamely into the hands of McLaughlin.

They were soon to made to pay for passing up such a glorious opportunity.

Aribo’s timing was impeccable as he raced onto Morelos’ flick-on,  before calmly executing from close-range a low effort which Legzdins had little hope of stopping.

Dundee didn’t crumble. There was a sense of anticipation every time Griffiths found himself in or around the final third.

One such instance came midway through the first-half. McMullan shuttled the ball to McGhee who, in turn, rolled it into the path of Griffiths.

But the striker appeared to hesitate and his effort suffered as it nestled in McLaughlin’s hands without the visiting keeper having to make too much effort to contain the danger.

Then, 36 minutes, Griffiths’ afternoon was over. The former Hibs and Wolves forward had indicated to McPake that he couldn’t carry on any further, and was replaced by Cummings.

Griffiths’ enforced departure was met with sarcastic applause by the vociferous away support, while the home faithful were encouraging towards the 31-year-old forward whose still to score since returning on his loan spell.

The second-half was merely simmering along until it suddenly ignited close to the hour mark.

Max Anderson’s weighted ball over the top was ideal for McMullan who took the ball on his chest and quickly accelerated past Ranagers centre-back Connor Goldson.

As he jinked past McLaughlin towards an open goal, the keeper brought him down but Madden opted only to show McLaughlin the yellow-card.

Amid the bedlam, Cummings stepped up but his penalty was nowhere near what was required and was saved by McLaughlin’s feet.

McPake remained enraged on the sidelines but his players didn’t lose their composure and persisted in their pursuit of an equaliser, with McGhee heading not that far wide from Jordan Marshall’s 78th minute cross.

But it was their relieved opponents who held out in the defence of their domestic title. 

A stiff Europa League test in the Czech Republic now lies ahead as Rangers strive to make amends for their opening loss less than a fortnight ago against Lyon at Ibrox.