Harry Forrester pleased Rangers' patience paid off as he turned jeers into cheers at Ibrox

It was his header that was the catalyst for the celebrations, but it was the roar of encouragement minutes before that inspired him.

The midfielder spent most of the afternoon watching on from the dugout as Mark Warburton’s side tried, tried and tried again to breach the Dundee defence without success.

After seeing Barrie McKay and Joe Dodoo enter the action, Forrester was the last throw of the dice by boss Warburton.

Read more: Exclusive: Charlie Miller believes there is plenty more to come from Josh Windass at Rangers this season

Frustrations had built throughout the game and the home crowd were becoming increasingly anxious in the wait for a winner. With the final whistle looming, it was Forrester who finally gave them something to cheer.

Rangers have already dropped a handful of points at home this term and another stalemate on Saturday would have put further pressure on Warburton and his players.

It has been a disappointing start to the campaign for the Light Blues, but Forrester was pleased to send the fans home happy as their patience and perseverance paid off.

“I think performance wise it was a lot better on Saturday,” he said.

Read more: Exclusive: Charlie Miller believes there is plenty more to come from Josh Windass at Rangers this season

“Against Ross County, we weren’t really at the races and we only came away with a point. I think it would have been unjust on Saturday if we hadn’t got the three points.

“The goal came late but it was pleasing that we kept going and the gaffer has mentioned that.

“If we play the way we play, keep going and keep knocking on the door then it will come. We got the goal we needed to get the three points.

“I was warming up about the 70th minute and the crowd really got going. It was really loud, it was electric and that gives the players a lift.

“I was on the side thinking ‘come on, let’s go to another gear’. You understand their frustration when it doesn’t come off but they are our twelfth man.

“The more they stick with us, the more positive the players will be and the better the results will be.

“We understand that they pay good money to come and watch us play and they expect a performance.”

The emotions were mixed around Ibrox as Forrester’s flicked header found the corner of Scott Bain’s net with just seconds left on Saturday.

The joy of victory and the importance of the points in terms of the Premiership standings were first and foremost, but there was also a relief at avoiding another stumble on home soil.

Midfielder Andy Halliday spoke in the aftermath about the fear of losing and the disappointment that is felt when things don’t go to plan for the Light Blues.

It is why the Dundee clash was so significant for Rangers and for Forrester as he made the most of his chance to impress after a frustrating few weeks.

Forrester said: “I can understand where Andy is coming from. We know what it means to get the three points to the fans and we relish that.

“We are proud when we get the three points and everyone goes home with a smile on their face. We feel that we have let people down when we don’t get the win.

“We give 110 per cent out there and we always strive to beat whoever is in front of us.

“At the moment I have been on the bench and I haven’t really been coming on. It was good for me to get on the pitch and lift my confidence.

“We will go into next week and whatever the manager decides the players will go out and perform.”

The wait proved worth it for Rangers as Warburton’s side finally got the goal that their dominance on the day deserved. It was not a completely satisfactory afternoon, though.

Warburton had stuck by the starting line-up that squandered two points at Ross County before the international break and had his substitutes to thank as McKay looked bright and Forrester headed home Dodoo’s cross from the left flank.

Rangers had once again controlled possession, passed up their fair share of chances and given the opposition a couple of opportunities that could have cost them dear.

Victory kept the Gers within a point of second-placed Aberdeen in the Premiership standings and ensured they didn’t lose further ground to Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Warburton will lead his side into a crucial run of fixtures over the next few weeks and Forrester is pleased to be heading to Firhill with a much-needed win on the board.

“It has been up and down but we have started to get the performances in spells,” he said.

Read more: Exclusive: Charlie Miller believes there is plenty more to come from Josh Windass at Rangers this season

“The performance was there on Saturday, as it was against Kilmarnock.

“Hopefully we can kick-on, keep putting the performances in and if we do that I am sure the results will be positive more often than not.

“It is one game at a time. We have always said that and we will stick by that. You are only as good as your last performance.

“It was a good showing on Saturday, a good result and now we move on to the next game.

“Sometimes in football you don’t get the result that you deserve but we did against Dundee.

“We got to Partick now and we will try and get the three points there.”