Dundee 0-1 Rangers: Joe Aribo sees Gers previous Dundee after Jason Cummings penalty miss

A missed penalty from substitute Jason Cummings proved pricey for Dundee as Joe Aribo earned Rangers a hard-fought 1-0 victory to maintain them some extent clear on the high of the Scottish Premiership.

After Aribo’s first-half opener, the champions wanted Jon McLaughlin’s second-half spot-kick save to maintain them in entrance after the goalkeeper had introduced down Paul McMullan.

Dundee supervisor James McPake was proven a purple card at full-time for protesting the choice to not ship McLaughlin off.

McPake made one change to the facet that misplaced 2-0 to St Johnstone within the Premier Sports activities Cup on Wednesday as Ryan Sweeney changed Paul McGowan. That meant Leigh Griffiths stored his place in assault regardless of being charged with “culpable and reckless conduct” on Friday after showing to kick a flare into the stand housing the Saints followers.

Rangers made two adjustments to the facet that began their 2-0 quarter-final win over Livingston in midweek, with captain James Tavernier and Ianis Hagi changing Nathan Patterson and Scott Wright.

Dundee – trying to find their first league win of the season – made an encouraging begin when McMullan surged by the Rangers defence straight from kick-off, however he was ultimately closed off by Calvin Bassey on the sting of the field simply as he regarded set to get a shot away.

The guests’ first likelihood got here within the eighth minute however Tavernier blazed over after a Bassey cross picked him out on the far put up.

Dundee threatened a minute later when McMullan’s nook fell to Griffiths a number of yards out however the striker was unable to react rapidly sufficient to direct the ball into the web.

On the different finish, Kemar Roofe fired an angled shot on the flip simply previous the put up from 15 yards out.

The hosts virtually went forward within the 14th minute however Jordan McGhee’s close-range header from Liam Fontaine’s cross was grabbed on the second try by McLaughlin.

Rangers made the breakthrough within the seventeenth minute when Tavernier performed a cross into Alfredo Morelos, who clipped a stunning ball in behind for Aribo and the midfielder steadied himself earlier than curling a shot past Adam Legzdins from 12 yards out.

Dundee tried to reply and Griffiths noticed a shot from the sting of the field effectively saved by McLaughlin. Seconds later, the on-loan Celtic striker had one other good likelihood after being teed up by McGhee however his shot from 16 yards out lacked the facility to bother the goalkeeper.

Legzdins made an excellent save to cease Rangers doubling their lead within the thirty third minute when he palmed over a Roofe shot from the sting of the field.

Dundee have been compelled right into a change within the thirty ninth minute when Griffiths – who was heckled relentlessly by the away assist – needed to go off injured and was changed by Cummings.

The guests went shut within the fifty fifth minute when John Lundstram’s highly effective 20-yard strike was tipped behind by Legzdins.

Rangers had a significant let-off within the 58th minute when McLaughlin introduced down McMullan within the field because the Dundee attacker regarded sure to attain. A penalty was awarded and the goalkeeper controversially escaped with a yellow card earlier than choosing himself as much as save Cummings’ spot-kick.

What the managers stated

Dundee supervisor James McPake: “For my part, no [McLaughlin should not have been on the pitch for the penalty]. I do know the rule is should you make a real try, and other people will disagree and say it is a real try.

“However Paul McMullan is clearly by him and the leg comes out. If it is Adam Legzdins would my reply be totally different? In all probability not.

“I’m simply giving an trustworthy opinion. Having seen it again, I feel the arm catches him as effectively. TV footage will perhaps present that higher. I’m it from a excessive digicam.

“We miss the penalty however we might nonetheless have half an hour to play with 11 v 10. I just like the rule that should you make a real try it is not a purple card offence, however Paul McMullan is clearly by him by the point he makes an try.”

What’s subsequent?

Dundee journey to St Johnstone subsequent Saturday within the Scottish Premiership. Rangers journey to Sparta Prague within the Europa League on Thursday, earlier than welcoming Hibernian to Ibrox on Sunday October 3.