RANGERS put their Old Firm defeat to Celtic behind them as they got back to winning ways with victory over Dundee at Ibrox.

Steven Gerrard suffered his first loss as Gers boss before the international break as his side lost ground on their Premiership title rivals.

But Rangers ensured they took advantage of Celtic’s slip-up against St Mirren on Friday night as goals from Lassana Coulibaly, Ryan Kent, James Tavernier and Glenn Middleton clinched all three points. Kenny Miller was sent off on his return to Ibrox as Dundee remain rooted to the foot of the Premiership standings.

This was as comfortable an afternoon as Rangers could have hoped for. Gerrard’s side will now turn their attentions to the Europa League showdown with Villarreal on Thursday night after a straightforward outing against the struggling Dees.

The return of Coulibaly was a major boost for boss Gerrard, especially after Ryan Jack was ruled out of the Premiership clash and the trip to Spain with a calf injury. The Malian was a key performer in the opening weeks of the campaign and he wasted little time in picking up where he left off.

Midfield partner Scott Arfield almost opened the scoring as he tried to connect with a Tavernier cross but Rangers didn’t have to wait long to register.

A low shot from Borna Barisic was blocked and as the ball ricocheted around the area, Coulibaly and Alfredo Morelos both looked to finish. It was Coulibaly that got the decisive touch as he rifled home from close range.

It was just the start that Dundee didn’t want and couldn’t afford. To their credit, Neil McCann’s side looked threatening at times when they ventured forward and Allan McGregor had to be alert as a couple of shots were unleashed from range.

But the visitors were never going to cause an upset and even the reprieve when Morelos was flagged offside – the striker denied after he applied the finishing touches to a sweeping move involving Kent and Daniel Candeias – couldn’t save their afternoon.

The second goal came from Kent as he burst towards the area and played a neat interchange with Arfield as the midfielder set him free. The finish was simple but clinical and that was the win secured for Rangers.

It was a matter of how many at that stage and Coulibaly almost doubled his tally with an overhead kick before Arfield’s shot was saved after a neat touch on the edge of the area.

On the brink of half-time, Rangers got their third goal. Kent was involved again as he set Morelos away down the left and Kevin Clancy had not choice but to award a penalty as Darren O’Dea scythed the striker down.

Tavernier did the rest as he fired the ball beyond Elliot Parish from 12 yards and there was going to be no way back for McCann’s side.

It was always going to be a long second half for Dundee and they should have been further behind shortly after the restart.

Morelos somehow contrived to miss when Candeias found him in plenty of time and space inside the area, before Arfield flicked a header just over the bar.

It was becoming one of the those afternoons for Morelos as Parish got his finger tips to a low effort and he headed just wide of target from the resulting corner.

Rangers were cruising towards the finishing line now and it was more about game management than goals for Gerrard’s side as they cast an eye towards their European action. Winger Eros Grezda was given his Ibrox bow with 15 minutes remaining as he took over from Morelos.

The next time the home crowd got to their feet, it was to applaud Miller. The striker was sent off for a tackle on Barisic and was left bemused by the call from Clancy.

He was given a warm reception by the Gers fans and Gerrard as he made his way off but it was a goal the Light Blue legions were cheering soon after as Glenn Middleton capped a second half cameo with a neat finish from a tight angle.

Fellow substitute Kyle Lafferty was denied by the flag as he turned in a Middleton cross with just minutes to go before he rattled the bar with a header.