Dundee goal hero Mark O’Hara admitted he didn’t know the club had waited so long for a home win over Rangers.
You have to back to August 15, 1992 to find the Dark Blues’ last success over the Light Blues at Dens Park – a 4-3 victory masterminded by Simon Stainrod.
The class of 2017 brought the drought to an end in thrilling fashion yesterday, though, with O’Hara opening the scoring on 13 minutes and Kevin Holt scoring from a freekick just before half-time.
The visitors got one back through Joe Garner but this was all about O’Hara and his mates as they shot up to sixth spot in the Premiership table.
Asked if he knew about the 25-year wait, the midfielder said: “I wasn’t aware of that but it’s an achievement and a massive result for us.
“We showed out there that we were all hungry and all fighting for each other.
“We want to be in that sixth position and if we are to stay there then we will have to play like that every week.
“We didn’t particularly focus on what was happening at Rangers but the manager told us at the start of the week to have a right go and we did that.
“We worked all week on pressing them high up the pitch.
“Rangers are a big club and it’s always difficult against them but this was about what we did.
“Now we are in the top six and hopefully we can kick on.
“To do well in a live TV game like that – we’re not often on the telly – shows the public what we are like and what we are about.
“Hopefully, teams will start fearing us now.”
O’Hara’s opening goal was an excellent left-foot shot – his first with that leg – and he was set up by Henrik Ojamaa’s cutback.
He said: “I saw it coming.
“I just made sure I hit the target and I was delighted to score.
“It was my first goal with my left foot.
“It was also only my second start against Rangers and I’ve scored both times so that’s not a bad ratio!”
Meanwhile, Dens boss Paul Hartley was understandably proud of his players.
He said: “I remember the 92 game and I think the supporters will remember this just as fondly.
“It is not often you beat Rangers or Celtic.
“We were underdogs but always knew we had a chance if we could put that performance in.
“I thought it was a real team performance, how we performed and way we want about it.
“Our attitude and pressing were outstanding.
“We changed our shape and pressed Rangers all over the pitch because we were determined that we didn’t let them settle.
“It does take us into the top six but it is about the manner of the win.
“We know we’ve got that in us and it is consistency that has been our problem.
“I never thought we were in danger, even when they scored, because that came from the one time we didn’t press properly.
“We were never in trouble.”
