IT was late but it was worth the wait for Mark Warburton. It could prove to be the turning point for Rangers, or it could be another false dawn at Ibrox.

The celebrations, both on the park and off it, were testament to the importance of the goal. Now Rangers must use it as a platform upon which to build in the Premiership.

As Harry Forrester flicked the ball beyond Dundee keeper Scott Bain and wheeled away to a roar of noise around Ibrox, Warburton would have been as relieved as he was delighted.

Read more: Andy Halliday hopes Rangers can make inroads into Celtic's Premiership advantage

His mantra last season was one of sending the fans home happy but the Light Blue legions have had little to cheer on home soil so far this term.

An opening day draw with Hamilton was the first blow to their title ambitions, while they left it just as late as they did on Saturday to finally overcome Motherwell back in August.

The wins over Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock were straightforward, the kind of days that the Gers crowd became accustomed to in the past. But only taking two points from the visits of Ross County and St Johnstone added further to the weight of pressure on Warburton’s shoulders.

Read more: Andy Halliday hopes Rangers can make inroads into Celtic's Premiership advantage

The Englishman could ill-afford to see his side falter at Ibrox once again. In the end, Rangers’ persistence overcame Dundee’s resistance.

As the Gers licked their wounds in the aftermath of the Betfred Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic last month, they would have looked at the fixture list with some optimism.

After faltering badly in the opening weeks of the campaign, there was a chance to build up some momentum ahead of a huge run of games leading into the winter shutdown.

Eight points have been collected from the first four but further ground has been lost in the Premiership as Celtic have extended their advantage at the top of the table.

The home draw with the Saints and stalemate away to Ross County will matter little come the end of what was only fleetingly a title race.

But they could prove crucial in the battle to be best of the rest. It is in terms of that fight that Forrester’s winner was greeted in the manner that it was on Saturday.

Warburton’s side had plenty of possession and spells of pressure on Saturday but nerves began to jangle around Ibrox as Dundee held firm.

There were chances for Paul Hartley’s side as Tom Hateley twice tested Wes Foderingham and Jason Holt became the last line of defence was a superb clearance just yards from goal.

For the fans that headed for the exits early, there was a feeling that it was just going to be another one of those days for Rangers. Those that stayed until the end knew the significance of what they witnessed.

The neat backward header from a Joe Dodoo cross ensured that Rangers didn’t fall four points adrift of Aberdeen following their win at Inverness, and it denied Hearts the chance to move into third spot when they face Hamilton Accies this evening.

Having won two and drawn two from what was on paper four favourable fixtures, Rangers must now add another three points to their tally when they play the fifth against Partick Thistle this weekend.

The performances from Warburton’s side have been as inconsistent as the results so far this season but momentum has to be built and maintained through the festive schedule.

Few could say with confidence that the Gers will return to Ibrox from Firhill with all three points, though. Rangers may continue to dominate games, but there is no firm belief that they will get the job done, especially away from home.

The Jags clash is one that Rangers should, and have to, win though ahead of three games that will go some way to determining whether there will be any Christmas cheer around Ibrox.

The trip to Tynecastle a week on Wednesday and then the visits of Aberdeen and Hearts on successive Saturdays are hugely significant for Rangers and their manager.

It may be one game at a time for Warburton and his players but the importance of the fixtures leading up to the next Old Firm game on Hogmanay cannot be underestimated.

Second spot is now the aim for Rangers but they must also keep an eye on Celtic as they saunter off into the distance towards a sixth successive Premiership crown.

Read more: Andy Halliday hopes Rangers can make inroads into Celtic's Premiership advantage

Finishing ahead of Aberdeen and Hearts is one thing, but the gap to Brendan Rodgers’ side will also be a barometer of where Rangers are.

In that respect, the points are almost as important as the placings and trailing home well adrift of Celtic cannot be classed as highly competitive this term.

That is why a home win over Dundee has taken on more importance than it normally would for Rangers. In extraordinary circumstances, results that have in the past been accepted as the norm are now celebrated with the scenes witnessed on Saturday.

Only time will tell if a corner has been turned or Warburton’s side are heading towards another dead end in the Premiership.