RANGERS remain in pole position in the Premiership title race. The champions still have gears to move into, though, as they continue on the road towards a potential 56th league crown.

A terrific first half strike from Joe Aribo was enough to earn Steven Gerrard’s side a hard-fought victory at Dens Park. As Rangers celebrated, there would have been a sense of relief in there as well.

The wait for a complete performance continues for Rangers but the final outcome will always be the most important factor from any fixture in their title defence.

Here are five talking points as Rangers bounced back from their draw with Motherwell and ensured they remain the ones to catch in the Premiership.

RANGERS MUST KILL TEAMS OFF

The first goal breaks the opposition resistance. The second wins the game. Any others are just added bonuses to take alongside the points.

The formula should be pretty straightforward for Rangers, but it is one that they haven’t mastered often enough so far this term and Gerrard must be concerned at how tight too many encounters have been.

It took the champions just 15 minutes to open Dundee up as Aribo collected a neat pass from Alfredo Morelos, took a lovely touch to control it and then beat Adam Legzdins with a composed finish from inside the area.

The second goal wouldn’t arrive before the break, though, as Kemar Roofe’s effort was parried over the bar and Morelos inadvertently blocked a strike from Connor Goldson.

After the interval, John Lundstram was denied by Legzdins and Morelos headed wide but Dundee were allowed to grow into the encounter as the clock ticked on and the scoreboard remained the same.

Rangers know to their cost what can happen when teams aren’t killed off in a professional and timely manner and such failings will haunt them over the course of the campaign.

There is undoubtedly heart to be taken in being able to win ugly, but Rangers could do with a more polished overall performance sooner rather than later.

DEFENSIVE ISSUES STILL NOT RESOLVED

Of all the problems that have presented themselves for Rangers in the opening weeks of the season, their weakness at the back is the most difficult to fathom.

This is, after all, a side that broke records for clean sheets and goals conceded on their way to the title last term. For all their attacking threat, that was the foundation upon which 55 was built.

But Rangers have looked decidedly unconvincing in most of their fixtures so far this season and the usually reliable Goldson has been a particular source of concern with some below standard showings.

A Dundee forward line that have now scored just four times in seven Premiership outings caused Rangers more problems that they should have been allowed to and, had it not been for Jon McLaughlin’s penalty save, the champions would have dropped more crucial points in the title race.

Rangers have yet to hit their stride in the final third. At the other end, the problems are just as pressing for Gerrard as his side attempt to find their feet this term.

LUNDSTRAM CONTINUES TO SHOW SIGNS OF PROMISE

The first weeks of Lundstram’s Ibrox career weren’t exactly easy. He arrived as the main signing of the summer but failed to hit the ground running after his move from Sheffield United.

A red card in the defeat to Malmo was the low point, but he has steadily built himself back up since. The midfielder is not an eye-catching or headline grabbing operator, but he has been more effective and impressive of late as Steven Gerrard has spoken positively about his performances.

This was another step in the right direction. His passing was simple yet composed and he would show real awareness to cut out the danger on several occasions as he benefitted from being given the central role in Rangers’ middle three.

As Steven Davis missed out, Lundstram filled in with aplomb. This was much more like it from the Scouser and Gerrard will hope it is a sign of things to come in the long run.

MCLAUGHLIN CARD CALL WAS A DEFINING MOMENT

When Paul McMullin got away from Goldson and headed for the Rangers goal, he seemed certain to bring Dundee level and set up a thrilling final half hour.

His progress was halted before he got a shot away, though, as McLaughlin spread himself and clipped the forward inside the area.

The decision to point to the penalty spot was the obvious one for referee Bobby Madden. His next call was what punishment to dish out.

Much to Rangers’ relief, he would only issue a yellow card to their keeper. Within seconds, McLaughlin had saved a Jason Cummings penalty and maintained their lead.

Only the man himself will know if there was an attempt to play the ball when McMullan darted by him. That was the view from Madden that ultimately saved McLaughlin.

James McPake was that upset with the call that he received a red card after protesting with the whistler at full-time. It was no surprise that McPake and Gerrard disagreed on the decision, but the benefit of the doubt certainly fell in Rangers’ favour.

GRIFFITHS CAN’T SILENCE AWAY SUPPORT

Leigh Griffiths was the obvious target for the vocal Rangers fans at Dens Park and he wouldn’t have enjoyed any of the 38 minutes that he was on the field.

The boos, abuse and songs started as soon as the striker came out for his warm-up and continued even after he was replaced by Cummings following a knock.

Sections of the home crowd would show their support as he made his way off, but Griffiths was a constant target as the travelling Light Blues piled in every time that he had the ball.

Griffiths did have a couple of chances to silence them, but this was a forgettable afternoon as he had to take everything that was thrown at him and ultimately had no comeback.

A well-struck effort from the edge of the area was saved by McLaughlin, as was a better opportunity shortly afterwards as he couldn’t get the desired pace or direction on a strike from inside the area.

His misery ended early and his afternoon ended in defeat.