MARK MCGHEE admits there was an 'inevitability' about the late Rangers winner on Sunday as Dundee were left with nothing to show for their efforts at Dens Park.
The Dees had a shock victory in their sights when Christie Elliott connected with a Jordan Marshall cross and headed home the opener inside six minutes.
Rangers would produce an abject showing in the remainder of the first half and were under huge pressure when James Tavernier blazed over from the penalty spot just before the break.
Aaron Ramsey brought the champions level as he scored his maiden goal for the club after 64 minutes and it was Connor Goldson that emerged as the hero for Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side.
His winner six minutes from time keeps Rangers just three points adrift of Celtic in the title race and boss McGhee had a feeling the sucker punch second goal was going to come as Dundee were left empty-handed.
McGhee said: "I think Rangers deserved to win. There was an inevitability about it, the second half pressure they brought on us when we were weakened.
"We were running out of energy, we don't have the changes in the bench that they are able to make so our performance starts to fall away, as there is maintained.
"So there is nothing we can do about that. As far as I am concerned, especially in the first half, was as good as we can do.
"We were organised, we had a great shape, we made i difficult for them, we were aggressive, we scored a great goal, that is the most important thing for me, we have something to take into the next game.
"Of course it does [give us confidence going forward] but more than that, it is a model for what we expect.
"The supporters here and over there, watching on the telly have seen that and they know what they are capable of in the first half so they should expect it each week and we can't accept anything less than that.
"Confidence is one thing but we need to stand up and be counted."
The penalty miss from Tavernier could have been a turning point in the match as Rangers blew a golden chance to pull themselves level after a rotten start left them toiling.
Referee Bobby Madden penalised captain Jordan McGhee for a shirt pull on Alfredo Morelos and waved away protests from the shocked Dundee defence.
The award looked soft at first viewing but McGhee had no complaints about Madden's call that ultimately didn't prove to be crucial on a controversial afternoon.
McGhee said: “Ach I thought it was a penalty. It’s a light penalty, an easy penalty but he does tug him a wee bit.
“And as soon as he tugs him the referee will give a penalty. Referees are going to give a penalty. You’ve just got to live with that. It was a penalty."
The penalty incident was just one of several talking points on Tayside as Rangers supporters continued to protest against the Sydney Super Cup plans that will see their side face Celtic later this year.
Banners and chants were aimed towards the Light Blues executives sitting in the Director's Box and Madden had to call a halt to the action on three occasions to clear the park.
Toilet rolls and tennis balls were launched from the stands and McGhee admits the lengthy delays didn't help Rangers' cause as the match was interrupted.
McGhee said: “That helped us to an extent, rather than them. They’re renowned for doing out fast, trying to win the game by half-time.
“But those interruptions didn’t help them, so we were quite happy. We got a breather. It worked against Rangers."
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