Rangers 4-0 Dundee
- Published
Highlights: Rangers 4-0 Dundee
Rangers produced a dominant display to see off Dundee and move second in the Premiership.
Kenny Miller and Jamie Murphy hit the woodwork before they combined for Miller to net the opener.
Alfredo Morelos made it 2-0 after the break with a tap-in from Daniel Candeias' cross before Murphy added the third.
Candeias capped an excellent display with the fourth goal, smashing the ball into the net from Graham Dorrans' pass.
With Aberdeen losing at Hearts, Rangers' win takes them second in the table, ahead of the Dons on goal difference.
Miller gave Rangers the lead before the break with a fierce drive
Ibrox fell silent before kick-off in tribute to former Rangers midfielder Ray Wilkins, who passed away this week, having played for the Govan club from 1987-89.
The hosts, on the back of manager Graeme Murty's demand for a higher tempo, started the sharper and twice hit the frame of the goal as they searched for the opener.
Miller's close-range effort came back off the post following fine set-up work from Candeias before Murphy's wayward cross hit the bar.
Referee Greg Aitken waved away Dundee's claims for a penalty when they felt the ball hit Declan John's hand on one of their rare forays into the Rangers box in the opening half-hour.
The visitors' best chance - their only one of the first half -fell to Sofien Moussa but, after turning brilliantly in the box, he fired over the bar.
The Rangers fans paid tribute to Wilkins, who made 70 appearances for the club
The Taysiders fell behind when Murphy cut in from the left and set up Miller, who drilled the ball home from just inside the box.
Russell Martin and Morelos passed up chances to double the lead and after half-time Miller went close to a second, but his volley went wide from Roarie Deacon's attempted clearance.
Dundee's Simon Murray drew a decent save from Wes Foderingham but the striker should have done better, his control letting him down as he broke through.
Dundee then enjoyed a period of possession but it was all too brief from their point of view, with Candeias soon smashing an effort off the post at the other end before Miller screwed the rebound wide.
Murphy scored Rangers' third after great work by Morelos
Neil McCann's side offered little and Rangers eventually grabbed a second. Candeias provided the perfect delivery into the area and Morelos tapped home his 18th goal of the season.
The Colombian soon showed the other side of his game as he took a fresh air swipe at another Candeias cross when he was well placed to double his tally.
Murty's men continued to impress with Miller knocking an effort wide of the post before Murphy put the result beyond doubt, passing the ball into the net after Morelos had robbed the Dee back line.
The 21-year-old striker, however, was shown a late booking for simulation after a collision with Dundee goalkeeper Elliot Parish, who was replaced with a facial injury. Morelos' manager branded the decision "nothing less than a joke" after the game, with the player now facing a one-match suspension.
Candeias crashed the ball high into the net after being set up by Dorrans late on to complete the rout.