10-man Rangers beat Dundee to narrow Celtic lead

Cyriel Dessers' seventh goal of the season brought Rangers level

Rangers moved to within five points of Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic with a comfortable comeback win over Dundee despite playing the second half with 10 men.

A James Tavernier penalty and a thundering Abdallah Sima header had Rangers comfortable before Jose Cifuentes was sent off for a stamp.

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The packed Ibrox stands endured some nervous moments after the break, but seventh-placed Dundee rarely looked like avoiding a 16th consecutive defeat at Ibrox.

It means Rangers head into their Europa League decider against Real Betis, then the Viaplay Cup final against Aberdeen, on the back of 13 unbeaten games, 12 under new manager Philippe Clement.

Clement had rested stalwart centre-half Conor Goldson and emerging winger Ryan McCausland as he said it would be up to others to judge whether or not he was right to make three changes over and above the two forced by injuries.

It looked like he might have to justify his decision when a superb low dive from Jack Butland denied Lyall Cameron and, from the resulting corner, the ball fell to Bakayoko for the striker to coolly slot past the Rangers goalkeeper.

The threat of a first Dundee win at Ibrox since 2001 was, however, quickly extinguished.

Much-maligned striker Dessers had been handed a start and responded with a clinical strike before Tavernier slotted another penalty after Aaron Donnelly had pulled Sima's shirt.

Luke McCowan missed a good chance to draw Dundee level before Sima bulleted home a Tavernier corner for the on-loan Brighton & Hove Albion forward's fourth goal in three games.

Dundee's Joe Shaughnessy and Rangers' Todd Cantwell both had goals ruled out for fouls in the build-up and an action-packed first-half closed with Cifuentes being sent off for a stamp on Bakayoko.

Cameron was denied by a last-ditch challenge as Dundee failed to make their man advantage tell, while substitute Dujon Sterling was denied a fourth goal for the hosts by the face of the far post as neither side could add to the scoring.

Player of the match - Abdallah Sima (Rangers)

Abdallah Sima remains Rangers' most potent force, the on-loan Brighton & Hove Albion forward winning a penalty and scoring his side's third goal

More to follow.

What's next?

Rangers conclude the Europa League group stage away to Real Betis on Thursday (20:00 GMT) before facing Aberdeen in next Sunday's Viaplay Cup final, while Dundee travel to face Ross County on Saturday (15:00).