Rangers 1-0 Dundee: Steven Davis header sends hosts into last four
- Published
Steven Davis nodded Rangers ahead within 10 minutes
Rangers fans were right to boo their team off, said manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, after they laboured past Dundee at Ibrox to set up a Scottish League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen.
Steve Davis headed what proved to be the winner in the 10th minute.
Despite creating plenty of chances, the hosts were unable to add to their lead against the stubborn Championship side.
Rangers face Aberdeen at Hampden on the weekend of 14-15 January, with holders Celtic taking on Kilmarnock.
"They are right, I can understand, I wasn't happy either," said Van Bronckhorst after his side's lacklustre performance was met with some booing at full-time.
"When you play well you should get the applause but when you don't play well at a club like Rangers they should boo you.
"We need to know and feel that the performance in the last half-an-hour is not good enough and we need to improve."
Rangers started with the kind of intensity that was so desperately lacking in the weekend victory over Motherwell.
Tenacious wing play from Wright resulted in a lashed effort at goal that Legzdins saved well, but Davis was quick to the rebound to give Rangers the perfect start.
Wright then went close again, whipping the ball inches over the bar, but after that Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side took their foot off the gas and it was a while before they created another chance of note.
James Tavernier slipped Alfredo Morelos through on goal, but the Colombian saw his shot well blocked by the Dundee goalkeeper. A good save, sure - but an opportunity the one-time talisman used to bury.
Ridvan Yilmaz created two openings either side of half-time, the latter a cross which drifted across goal and Legzdins tipped on to the post.
But the more time went on, the more Dundee's confidence grew. Joe Grayson hit a half-volley inches wide before seeing a shot blocked by Leon King.
Rangers' forays forward grew more desperate, and were often blocked by a tough Dundee rearguard that they could not crack open once more.
Ultimately, Davis' goal would be enough but it wasn't the scoreline or second-half performance that the Dutch manager wanted and it was a second victory in a row that looked uncomfortable.
Player of the Match - Steven Davis
A fine wine. When Rangers did well tonight, the midfield metronome was responsible.
What they said
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst: "All we can do, I can do, is keep working hard with my players to make sure we are improving and can make the fans proud."
Dundee boss Gary Bowyer told Premier Sports: "Proud, tinged with a bit of 'we could have done more'. In terms of our organisation and how we kept them at bay, it was pleasing. There's lots of lessons we can take into the league campaign."
What's next?
Rangers host Livingston in the Premiership on Saturday, while Dundee are back in Championship action against Morton (both 15:00 BST).