YOU can hardly call this the Brendan Rodgers bounce. After all, Rangers came into this match after back-to-back 5-0 wins regardless of any events transpiring on the other side of the city.

But if the Ibrox side seemed to have an extra spring in their step last it was perhaps understandable. The cheers which built around this ground on the news of Hearts’ second-half equaliser at Tynecastle ultimately counted for nothing but Celtic, a seemingly unstoppable juggernaut motoring towards an eighth successive top-flight title, have suddenly encountered at least a little of turbulence.

While Rangers only managed four goals last night and that late Celtic winner at Tynecastle leaves the gap at the top of the table still an imposing eight points, two Old Firm matches remain, and just maybe Steven Gerrard’s side sense there might be some silverware for them this season after all.

A 1-1 draw at Dens Park earlier in the season is a match which the Liverpudlian is still having nightmares about. Glen Kamara was still a Dundee player back then but it didn’t take long for the Finnish midfielder yesterday to remind Jim McIntyre’s side about what they are missing.

In fact, when you consider that the much-vaunted Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis again had to settle for a berth on the Rangers bench, right now he looks like the club’s best January signing. This match was a personal triumph for him – almost enough to justify the £50,000 deadline day fee the club spent to get him six months early. Having said all that, considering the former Arsenal player didn’t even score during his time on Tayside, and hardly attempted a shot on goal, it was rubbing salt in the wounds that he should take just three minutes to open the scoring against them.

When Morelos cleverly won a free kick, the midfielder timed a clever near post run to get on the end of James Tavernier’s delivery. His finish beat Seny Dieng at his near post, with the midfielder’s muted celebration a show of respect to the role his former club played in his development.

Dundee’s high pressing and high line didn’t pan out the way Jim McIntyre might have hoped but to be fair there was a fluency about the Ibrox side in the opening stages here which hasn’t always been witnessed during a season where at times they have often struggled to carve out chances from open play. Tavernier was rewarded for his desire to get in where it hurts was rewarded just minutes later, the full back tapping in from close range after Dieng had beaten out a fierce Morelos drive.

If the only negative around the club yesterday was a headline which claimed Morelos was expecting to leave the club this summer, Rangers fans are best advised to enjoy him whilst they still can. It says something about the little Colombian’s form this season that it was a straightforward decision for Gerrard to return him to the starting line-up, regardless of the 5-0 win at Hamilton on Sunday.

His 28th goal of a prolific season came from the kind of range he often seems to find himself in, all of a yard out. This time Scott Arfield was the provider after another nice bit of interplay involving Kamara. While he took a fair old bit of treatment on the night from the likes of Darren O’Dea and Ryan McGowan, he might have already breached the 30-mark, tugging a right foot finish wide after O’Dea had been sucked into a challenge on halfway. It might have been four had Daniel Candeias, also in the mood last night, hit the target rather than firing wide after robbing Jesse Curran in a dangerous area.

All in all, Rangers were entitled to come out after half-time dreaming of hitting five goals for a hit consecutive match for the first time in the club’s illustrious history. Kamara was imperious now, starting a four man move involving Candeias and Kent which ended with Morelos running on to bring another fine save from Dieng. Kent was next to threaten, bursting down the left but unable to hit the target with his cross shot.

Reinforcements arrived off the bench in the form of Steven Davis at half time and Jermain Defoe just after the hour mark. There was a round of applause too for Kenny Miller when he appeared for the last 20 minutes, and it was the former Ranger man who almost got on the scoresheet. He was only defied by the feet of McGregor from close range, with Ethan Robson producing a howler from the rebound with an open goal gaping.

Borna Barisic rattled the underside of the crossbar from a sweet free kick, with Kent leaving the fray to an ovation shortly after being on the receiving end of a challenge from another lusty challenge from O’Dea which saw the Irishman booked.

The Ibrox side finished the match playing three at the back, releasing Tavernier and Barisic forward in the hunt for more goals. Only one more arrived, Ryan Jack feeding the ball into Jermain Defoe, Ryan McGowan slipping to the ground and allowing the Englishman to drill in a high finish.

O’Dea had a chance for a consolation goal cleared off the line as the final whistle sounded, a fan appearing to run from the home areas towards the players but being manhandled by stewards. A bad night then for Dundee, who drop back into 11th and the play-off place on the strength of Hamilton’s win at Pittodrie. There will be a battle royal alright at the bottom end of the table this year – there always is. But on this evidence Rangers haven’t given up hope of a tussle for the title at the top too.