09.12.2023 20:47 h

10-man Rangers show 'fight' to close gap on Celtic

Rangers manager Philippe Clement said his side showed their team spirit in coming from behind and playing the entire second half down with 10 men in a 3-1 win over Dundee.

Clement's side closed the gap on Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic to five points as they remain unbeaten in 12 games under the Belgian.

Amadou Bakayoko had fired Dundee into a shock fifth-minute lead.

But the home side responded at Ibrox to lead through goals from Cyriel Dessers, James Tavernier and Abdallah Sima before the break.

A comfortable afternoon for Rangers looked in store until Jose Cifuentes was sent-off in first half stoppage time after a VAR review upgraded his yellow card to a red.

"I see this dressing room growing week-by-week in that way. That is crucial. I know you need a really strong dressing room where everybody fights for one another, where everybody is available for the team," said Clement.

"Everyone sees in the last few weeks this team sticking together in every sense. Players coming in, playing out of position and doing a job for the team."

Celtic are in action on Sunday when they travel to Kilmarnock.

Aberdeen eased the pressure on manager Barry Robson as Leighton Clarkson's stoppage time winner beat Hearts 2-1.

St. Mirren took advantage of Hearts' defeat to move into third thanks to a 2-0 win over Ross County.

Hibernian also went ahead of their Edinburgh rivals into fourth with a 1-0 win at bottom-of-the-table Livingston.

Livie are now five points adrift of St Johnstone, who conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 1-1 at fellow strugglers Motherwell.