Dundee beat 'really strong' Rangers team as Tony Docherty takes fans behind closed doors of midweek victory

The Dark Blues ran out 1-0 winners at the Rangers training ground in the perfect pick-me-up from losing to Kilmarnock

Tony Docherty is hoping a closed door win over Rangers can help to get Dundee over their Premiership blues.

The Dark Blues took a team down to Rangers training ground and beat a strong Ibrox team 1-0 last week. It proved to be the perfect pick-me-up for Docherty and his team after a late collapse against Kilmarnock cost them all three points. The Dens boss confirmed: “We also got a bounce game against Rangers at Auchenhowie on Wednesday.

“It was good to get back and to get a game so soon after the Kilmarnock game. We both put out two strong teams and all the players, out with those who were away on international duty, were involved. Rangers had a really strong team with James Tavernier, Cyriel Dessers and Robin Propper, most of their top players. Rangers were the same because we made the arrangement with them that we wanted a proper game.

“It was great to get the boys back on the grass and it was pleasing we got a result and the clean sheet, which was important. I took a full squad of about 14 and they all played.

“Scott Fraser, Seb Palmer-Houlden and Julien Vetro all got game time. They all need the minutes but it was more than that. I was able to play a strong team as well. We won 1-0 and it was really, really pleasing. It was a really worthwhile exercise.”

Defender Clark Robertson missed the game but that was just precautionary as he had played the previous 90 minutes against Aberdeen and Kilmarnock on his return from injury. Docherty explained: “I never played Clark. He was the only one because he is just coming back from a hamstring injury. He has just come back and played two 90 minutes. I was nursing him a wee bit."

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Robertson’s return and the recent signing of Scott Fraser have given the squad a lift. The Dundee manager admitted: “I feels brilliant to get them in. It feels brilliant, like two new signings. Clark was unfortunate to get the injury at the start but the team are starting to see the benefit.

“Scott is a player I really admire. Getting the 90 minutes in against him against Rangers does feel like they are two new additions to the group. To bring those levels of players and experience to the squad is really important.”

Docherty gave his squad the weekend off and feels they have come back with a spring in their step ahead of the weekend trip to Motherwell.

He said: “We had a meeting in the early part of last week, like we always do. I think it is good when you follow it up with a game and it goes well. We are in a good place. The boys have come in really fresh. We had a good session on Monday and we are looking to kick on. The international boys will join back up with us on Thursday.”

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