Rangers boss salutes super-sub Forrester after last gasp winner

Rangers manager Mark Warburton hailed street footballer'' Harry Forrester after the attacking midfielder came off the bench to grab an injury-time winner against Dundee.

Forrester has started only five of his team's 13 Ladbrokes Premiership games this season, but Warburton knew the former Aston Villa and Doncaster player could make an impact as Rangers struggled to break down an organised Dundee side at Ibrox.

And his changes paid off as Forrester headed home fellow substitute Joe Dodoo's cross to earn a 1-0 victory.

Warburton said: We had a strong bench attacking-wise and they made a difference, they added some energy and pace. I had no problems with the boys coming off, they were excellent. It's just a case of variety.

Barrie McKay was out of the firing line for a couple of weeks and was keen to make an impression.

Harry has probably been below his level in training for a few weeks, but he has picked it up the last couple of weeks and I'm delighted for him.''

Warburton, who worked with the wide player at Watford, added: Harry's a street footballer. We had him as a kid, 13,14 ,15-year-old. We used to have academy games that were 20-a-side and Harry was the one who wanted the ball and to make an impact.

He has had a few injury niggles and we have to get the fitness level right to maintain that level of performance.

Harry won't be pleased to hear that remark, but it's probably right, he is a very effective sub, but we will make sure Harry can deliver a 90-minute performance.''

Rangers failed to capitalise on a lively start and Dundee were comfortable for long spells either side of the break.

Frustration was audible in the stands, notably when Warburton took off Josh Windass to loud boos, and on the pitch when Andy Halliday chopped down Craig Wighton with no attempt to play the ball to earn a yellow card.

You can't do that,'' Warbuton said.He's a very, very good player Andy, he's Rangers through and through, but it was one moment of recklessness that could have cost us. Don't get frustrated, keep doing what we do and hopefully the rewards will come.

I thought we were good first half and didn't get the rewards. You sense a frustration, but we have to keep doing what we do.

I was pleased with the fitness levels, we worked them really hard and they tired. It came late, but it's three points and we deserved the victory.''

On the fans' jeers for his 65th-minute substitution, when McKay came on, the Rangers boss said: Josh was excellent, but he has got to work on his fitness levels. We are working with Josh every single day. I understand the fans look at it and say, 'Why can't he go for 90?'

He's a young player that we have to look after. He will get fitter and stronger and his aim will be to produce that level of performance for 90 minutes.

There's a lot more to it than fans maybe see at first sight.''

Dundee manager Paul Hartley applauded his team's spirit after a cruel finale sent them bottom of the table.

They had chances themselves, Marcus Haber and Kevin Gomis fluffing free headers, Tom Hateley seeing two free-kicks saved and James Vincent being denied by a sliding clearance from Clint Hill.

We were a minute away from getting a good point and probably a deserved point,'' Hartley said.

It was just that concentration for the full game that cost us, one ball into the box, which we defended brilliantly for the majority of the game. It's a real killer blow for the players because I thought they were terrific.

We had good chances, Vincent just had to get a nick on it and put it in, and Gomis and Hateley, but the way the team performed over the majority of the game, and over the last three or four weeks, has been great."