28/11/99 Rangers 1 Dundee 2
By Dundeefc.net
April 24 2002
Sun 28TH NOVEMBER
Rangers 1(Wallace 70)
DUNDEE 2(Ireland 14, Rae 90)
Att 47154
Subs: Robertson(Billio 83), Bayne(Grady 87), Langfield, Sharp, Wilkie
Ref: Michael McCurry
Gavin Rae ended Rangers' unbeaten record with a sensational winner in stoppage time at Ibrox.
Dundee's Scotland under 21 midfielder took a pass from Steven Boyack on his chest before finding the corner.
It was a moment to savour for Rae and his team-mates, who were seen as lambs to the slaughter.
Rangers went into the game with a splendid UEFA Cup first leg victory against Borussia Dortmund behind them and were unbeaten in 12 league games.
But they looked strangely lethargic here with Jorg Albertz missing a second-half penalty.
Craig Ireland, playing the final match of a loan spell with Dundee, gave the Taysiders a shock lead after 14 minutes.
Manager Jocky Scott is hoping to secure the player on a permanent £50,000 deal from Dunfermline.
And Ireland did his chances of moving into the Premier League no harm at all when he stunned Rangers.
Shaun McSkimming played in a corner from the right and the big centre half was left unmarked at the back post. He steered a powerful header beyond Thomas Myhre and into the corner.
The visitors recovered well after enduring a torrid time before Ireland's goal as the Ibrox side piled on the pressure.
Rangers striker Rod Wallace fired over the top after Craig Moore had cleverly backheeled a corner from Albertz.
Robert Douglas made two saves in quick succession that were right out of the top drawer, blocking Jonatan Johansson's fierce effort before tipping over another blistering shot this time from Lorenzo Amoruso.
Ireland's goal rocked Rangers and Douglas again saved superbly from Johansson after Darius Adamczuk had carved out the opening.
Adamczuk had been hurt in an aerial collision with McSkimming after only two minutes but returned to the field with his head bandaged. But he was clearly struggling and replaced by Tony Vidmar in the 23rd minute.
Rangers had the majority of possession, as expected, but were looking subdued as the rain continued to pour down.
Their supporters screamed for a penalty after 27 minutes when Wallace was floored by Frank van Eijs but referee Mike McCurry waved play on.
Wallace should have pulled Rangers level five minutes before the break but mis-kicked his shot in front of goal after being released by Johansson.
Dundee keeper Douglas prevented Rangers from drawing level when he parried a penalty from Albertz in the 53rd minute.
Steven Tweed was punished for bundling over McCann and despite the defender's protests referee McCurry pointed to the spot.
Albertz, known for the power of shooting, tried to place it but Douglas got down quickly at the post to make a superb block.
Dundee were being forced to backpedal but were winning a lot of 50-50 balls, much to the annoyance of the Rangers fans.
Johansson was working hard up front with little support and beat Douglas with a fine shot after a through ball from Claudio Reyna, only to see it drift wide of the target,
Rangers manager Dick Advocaat then brought on striker Gordon Durie for midfielder Reyna in a bold attempt to get the equaliser.
And they drew level in the 70th minute when Wallace tapped the ball in after McCann's header from an Andrei Kanchelskis cross had rattled the post.
Dundee were being forced to defend in depth as Rangers went for the winner as the game moved close to full time.
The league leaders were out of luck in the 81st minute when Vidmar's goal bound shot was deflected wide by his team-mate Johansson.
Then came that stunning strike from Rae, which sparked a night of wild celebrations in one corner of Dundee at least.