Dundee 0-3 Rangers: Aaron Ramsey eager to build on Scottish Cup performance
- Published
Watch Sunday's Scottish Cup goals
Aaron Ramsey hopes to "show what I'm capable of doing" after helping Rangers reach the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
The on-loan Juventus midfielder, in only his second start, played 79 minutes as Rangers dominated Dundee in a 3-0 win at Dens Park.
Connor Goldson volleyed the opener, James Tavernier converted a penalty and Fashion Sakala struck a late third.
"I was delighted to get that amount of minutes under my belt," said Ramsey told Premier Sports.
"Hopefully, I can stay fit and build on this performance and show what I'm capable of doing.
"This is one of the reasons why I came to this club, to be competitive, to be competing for these trophies."
Rangers, winners in 2009, joined Hearts and Hibernian in Monday's semi-final draw, having last reached the last-four stage in 2018.
It was a fourth win in a row in all competitions for Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side, who started brightly and moved ahead from a Tavernier corner. The captain's delivery was headed downward by Filip Helander and Lee Ashcroft hooked the ball up off the crossbar only for Goldson to apply the finish.
Ashcroft headed wide from a free-kick at the other end before Ramsey tested home goalkeeper Harrison Sharp.
Rangers doubled the lead following a Tavernier raid forward as he exchanged passes with Ramsey before Sweeney's challenge sent the full-back to the ground. Referee Steven McLean pointed to the spot amid Dundee protests that Sweeney was merely standing his ground. Tavernier struck high and confidently past Sharp.
The visitors were dominating against the side who sit bottom of the Premiership and Ryan Kent's delivery was cleared off the line by Jordan McGhee.
Dundee, without manager Mark McGhee due to Covid, were dealt an injury blow when Ashcroft pulled up clutching his hamstring and Vontae Daley-Campbell was sent on.
However, they threatened before and after the break with Max Anderson dragging an effort wide and Danny Mullen seeing a volley deflected off target.
Rangers resumed their waves of pressure and Tavernier lashed a shot wide before setting up substitute Sakala for an effort blocked by the face of Sharp.
Substitute Kemar Roofe robbed Cammy Kerr and Sweeney to set up chances for Ramsey and Sakala, the first hacked clear by Sweeney and Sakala unable to keep his shot down. In between times, Roofe drew a save from Sharp.
Ramsey made way for youngster Charlie McCann after Kent had limped off to be replaced by Amad Diallo.
Alex Lowry also came on, for Ryan Jack, and set up Sakala for a low shot across the boughs of Sharp, adding to his strikes in the previous rounds against Stirling Albion and Annan Athletic.
Dundee's long wait to win the Scottish Cup again will continue into a 113th year.
Man of the match - James Tavernier
His penalty was disputed but there was no doubting the quality of the Rangers captain's performance
What they said
Dundee assistant manager Simon Rusk: "With the nature of the goals early in the game, it makes it really difficult for us. We're disappointed with our first half. [The penalty] appeared soft. The penalty's not the reason why we lose the game.
"We're not happy with the overall performance and result. It wasn't to be and we move on. Morale will be fine. I don't see morale being a problem."
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst told Premier Sports: "The important thing is to be in the semi-final at Hampden and I think we did well. We were very focused. From the first minute, we had the drive to be in the semi-final.
"We need to show our energy and drive to go all the way. It's been a while since we've won the cup. Ryan Kent's fine, I think he just had a bruise. He's okay."
What's next?
Rangers lead 3-0 going into the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie with Red Star Belgrade in Serbia on Thursday (17:45 GMT) before returning to Dens Park to face Dundee on league business next Sunday (12:00).