Joe Ellis

Sun 13 March 2022 17:48, UK

Rangers comfortably secured their spot in the Scottish Cup semi-finals as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side cruised past Dundee at Dens Park.

Connor Goldson got the party started for the near 5,000 travelling supporters as he slammed home from close range on nine minutes before James Tavernier doubled the lead from the penalty spot.

Fashion Sakala came off the bench to complete the scoring as Rangers booked their place in the semi-finals alongside Hibernian and Hearts, with Celtic or Dundee United to join them who play on Monday

Jon McLaughlin – 6

That might be the easiest clean sheet McLaughlin will ever get and there isn’t any other rating to give him than a six. He had no real saves to make and every time he had the ball in his possession, it was a very simple short pass or throw that got the game going again. Feet up by the fire kind of day.

James Tavernier – 8 (Man of the Match)

When does he ever let us down? Once again, Tavernier was a true leader in both his performance and attitude on the pitch and his deadeye accuacy from the spot was more than handy to double the Gers’ lead in the first half. There could easliy be a conversation with him involved as one of Europe’s top right-backs.

Connor Goldson – 7

He gave Rangers the perfect start which has certainly boosted his rating here. The limited defending he had to do he did with class ozzing from his veins and he kept things simple when in possession, allowing the more creative players in pink (Away kit used) to make the chances. What more can you ask?

Filip Helander – 6

Not much in the way of attacking for the home side and as a result, not much for Helander to do. He rose well to head back across goal for the opening goal and did what he was asked of going the other way with calmness. Relaxing day for the Swede.

Calvin Bassey – 7

Let’s hope we’ve seen the last of Bassey playing at centre-half because he is fantastic on the left. Countless times the Nigerian bombed to the byline and got a decent cross into the middle and Dundee simply couldn’t cope with his pace and power. Keep him wide please!

James Sands – 6

It was a brillaint gameto throw Sands into after a troubled start to life in Scotland but he came through it in flying colours. The American didn’t do anything over-spectacular nor massively disappointing in all honesty, just a very accomplished but insignificant day for the 21-year-old.

Ryan Jack – 7

As he does every single time he plays at the moment, Jack controlled the game from deep and Dundee couldn’t get near him. Spraying passes left, right and centre all day long and van Bronckhorst will be salivating at what he saw from the Scot today.

Aaron Ramsey – 8

Was today the day we finally saw our first glimpse of what Ramsey can do? You could tell he is a former Champions League and Premier League star with some of the cute little flicks he was able to pull off and the Dundee defence will be glad to see the back of him when they go home tonight.

Glen Kamara – 5

Maybe the only player in pink not to make a serious impact on the game? Kamara didn’t enjoy his best afternoon playing further forward as a number 10 and you would hope to see himdrop back in to a more traditional midfield role against Red Star on Thursday.

Ryan Kent – 7

Typically taunting and tantaslising from the English winger. Kent twisted this way and that to create a host of chances for the Gers and perhaps should have added a goal contribution at some point but he caused enough problems on his own to earn this rating.

Alfredo Morelos – 6

An oddly quiet afternoon for the Rangers top scorer and he probably isn’t best pleased to not score. That isn’t to say he played badly and he still caused nightmares for the Dundee defence even if his name didn’t appear on the scoresheet come full-time.

Substitutes:

Fashion Sakala (on for Kamara, 46′) – 6

Kemar Roofe (on for Morelos, 46′) – 5

Amad Diallo (on for Kent, 66′) – 5

Charlie McCann (on for Ramsey, 79′) – 5

Alex Lowry (on for Jack, 86′) – 6

In other Rangers news, former boss Steven Gerrard is keen to see the Gers defend the Scottish Premiership title he led them to last season.