Dundee 1-3 Rangers

Rangers progressed to the semi-finals of the Co-operative Insurance Cup with a hard-fought victory at Dens Park.

Steven Whittaker headed Rangers in front but Leigh Griffiths hit back with a tremendous free-kick.

The First Division leaders enjoyed a good spell of pressure after the break but Gary McKenzie headed into his own net to put the visitors back in front.

John Fleck completed the scoring late on, shooting home after a bustling run from Nacho Novo.

Dundee made a lively start, swarming all over a Rangers side showing seven changes from the weekend but it was the visitors who got the first good glimpse of goal.

Whittaker could only stab the ball wide from close range after connecting with a Fleck corner.

It was a glaring miss but the full-back made amends on 15 minutes when he stole in at the front post to nod in another Fleck corner kick.

The home fans screamed for a penalty when Craig Forsyth went to ground after Neil Alexander raced from his line to clear but the pleas were ignored by referee Dougie McDonald and there was little protest from the player in dark blue.

Parity was restored on 29 minutes when Griffiths lashed in a fantastic free kick.

Gary Harkins was fouled just outside the penalty area by Jordan McMillan and the in-form striker sent a curling effort into the top corner of the net.

With the home support in good voice, Alexander was then called into action to block a stinging shot from Griffiths.

Dundee continued to make all of the running at the start of the second half, with Paul McHale heading over, Eric Paton firing too high and Griffiths drawing a decent save from Alexander.

And there were further claims for a penalty from the home contingent when Griffiths toppled after contact with Sasa Papac.

However, it was Rangers who went ahead with a goal out of the blue just before the hour.

Whittaker floated in a cross and, with goalkeeper Tony Bullock hesitant, McKenzie lost his bearings and flicked a header over his stranded team-mate, into his own net.

Griffiths wasted a great chance to level again when he miscued a free header and Dundee fell out of the game once the striker was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining.

Rangers were comfortable in the closing stages and wrapped up the win five minutes from time when Fleck drilled home a shot from 16 yards after an enterprising run from Novo.

Dundee manager Jocky Scott:
"We had two stonewall penalties, how the referee didn't give them I don't know.

"Craig Forsyth, who is just a young boy - not old enough to tell lies about things like that, said the keeper definitely touched him.

"He's knocked the ball past the goalie. Why should he want to go down?

"The second one - a blind man could have seen it!"

Rangers manager Walter Smith:
"It was a difficult game. I thought Dundee played very well and stretched us.

"Dundee have got some good players. They have bought players to get them out of the First Division.

"Once we got the second goal, which was a bit fortunate, we seemed to take a bit from that and finished the game strongly.

"Danny Wilson was excellent and I was pleased with Jordan McMillan, while John Fleck finished strongly."