Rangers capitalized on early pressure when Trevor Carson denied Dessers, thanks to a strong effort from Nedim Bajrami on his first start. Dessers managed to tap in James Tavernier’s follow-up from close range, giving Rangers a promising start.
While this suggested a potential rout, Dundee didn’t back down. Oluwaseun Adewumi nearly leveled the score but was expertly stopped by Jack Butland outside the box. Carson then made impressive saves to deny Dessers again, first from a tight angle and later on a volley, keeping Dundee in the game as they headed into halftime.
The match shifted early in the second half when Mohammed Sylla fouled Dessers, leading to Tavernier converting the penalty for his first goal of the season. Dundee’s Simon Murray had a great chance but was thwarted by Butland, while Carson continued to shine, saving efforts from Bajrami and Vaclav Cerny.
Substitute Seb Palmer-Houlden had a golden opportunity but shockingly headed over from eight yards, dashing Dundee’s hopes. Dessers sealed the victory with a brilliant first-time finish from Jefte’s pass, securing Rangers’ place in the last four alongside Aberdeen and Motherwell.
**Rangers Progress as Hampden Return Awaits**
Rangers started strong, eager to make their way back to Hampden just after having left. An early goal set the tone for a potentially easy afternoon, but the lack of a second goal in the first half left the match finely balanced at the break.
Tavernier’s penalty at the beginning of the second half proved pivotal, ensuring their spot in the semi-finals as they look to defend their title. With a two-goal lead, Rangers played with newfound freedom, and they could have extended their margin with several missed chances.
This victory will undoubtedly boost the team’s confidence as they prepare for their upcoming European match in Malmo. While their offense looks solid, concerns linger about their defense, which Dundee could have exploited at least once.
The upcoming Europa League fixture will be significant in shaping fans’ perceptions of the team’s progress following what was an encouraging evening.
**Dundee Challenged but Found Encouragement for Docherty**
Dundee faced a tough draw in their bid to end an 18-year wait for a cup semi-final. Despite conceding an early goal to Dessers, Tony Docherty’s side showed resilience, managing to generate some possession, though they initially struggled to test Butland.
As the match progressed, they depended on Carson to make several key saves. However, the penalty they conceded severely diminished their chances of advancing. Credit to them for sticking with it; they had a few excellent opportunities but were unable to convert.
While the result was disappointing, Dundee demonstrated enough promise to carry into their Premiership campaign.
**What They Said**
Rangers manager Philippe Clement stated to Premier Sports: “It’s been a hectic period, feeling like we’ve been playing only away games.
“[Nedim Bajrami] has been with us for just a week, but we’ve had our eye on him for a long time, and we’re glad to have signed him. We needed time to work with the new players and integrate them into our system, and it’s clear we’re improving week by week.
“They’ve shown their quality, which is important for the fans. I believe our recruitment team has done a great job with the budget we had.”
Dundee manager Tony Docherty remarked: “I’m disappointed with the goals we conceded. I thought we created good chances, especially in the second half.
“Football is about scoring at one end and defending at the other. We have talented young players who are still coming together, and they’ll learn from these mistakes. It’s tough to bounce back after conceding a penalty, but they showed their character by creating opportunities—we just need to finish them. We’ve proven we can score, being among Scotland’s top scorers.”
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