RANGERS ground out three points in Tayside yesterday, a Joe Aribo goal and Jon McLaughlin penalty stop the difference on the day.

Dundee had plenty of chances and Steven Gerrard’s side looked vulnerable at points, but equally, they found the levels necessary to earn three points.

Joshua Barrie puts Gerrard’s comments following the game into focus, where the manager spoke determination, John Lundstram, Juninho Bacuna and more.

Gerrard on his side’s battling qualities

“We knew what type of game to expect when we came here. There’s certain SPFL games, coming away from home where you know you’ve got to hustle, you’ve got to grind, you’ve got to fight, do the ugly bits. I thought to a man today we were really honest.

“There’s still bones we can pick out of it, in possession and out of possession. At times at the end we could have went and killed the game with a bit more quality. But we’ve come here for three points, I think the players have showed hunger for three points and no one will remember how we got them, in time.”

This was another afternoon in which Rangers didn’t play to the levels of which they’re capable. While that remains somewhat of a concern, particularly without the ball, the ability to win matches of this ilk is a desirable trait.

READ MORE: Rangers rehearsed patterns earn win over Dundee, but defensive déjà vu is concerning

Gerrard is correct to assume that in time no one will remember the circumstances of this win but equally, he will know himself improvement is needed to ensure that not every game away from Ibrox turns into a battle.

On Joe Aribo’s goal

“Fantastic assist, it is stuff that we work on a lot in terms of patterns. We like Buff to come down and overload, we scored a very similar goal away at Ross County.”

Joe Aribo’s second goal of the season was indeed reminiscent of his first. The Nigerian making an intelligent run beyond Alfredo Morelos who found him with a reverse pass.

Rangers are evidently a team coached into good rhythms with the ball, the patterns and phases of play they work on allow for slick, telepathic combination play to make the difference on matchdays.

On John Lundstram’s performance

“He was the best player on the pitch, by a mile. I’ve been almost smiling in disbelief really, some of the reaction on the outside. I obviously keep an eye on everything inside and outside.

“John’s a fantastic player, he’s showed his quality in the last three games. Ok, he’s been finding his feet, it does take time to get up to speed, to work out how people play but he was an absolute powerhouse today and he was man of the match.”

This was Lundstram’s best performance for Rangers – and Gerrard is correct to highlight his amusement at people writing off the 27-year-old early.

Lundstram didn’t explode onto the Ibrox scene, but it’s still only September and a couple of months to bed into a side is completely realistic.

As the Rangers Review wrote last month, players take time to adapt to systems and learn the demands placed on certain roles.

Playing as the No.6, Lundstram was a powerhouse. He drove his team forward, protected them in transition and remained assured on the ball throughout the game.

His presence in these types of SPFL games will be a regular feature this season.

On Juninho Bacuna

“We’ve only given him the time really to show his moments, there’s a start on the horizon for him. Hopefully, it will be in the next couple of games.

“He’s an exciting player, he’s powerful, he can combine, he can fight and hustle. He’ll make us better. You’ve got to remember the kid hasn’t had a pre-season so we need patience with him as well.”

READ MORE: Juninho Bacuna scout report: What type of player are Rangers signing?

Interestingly, the Rangers manager highlights that Bacuna like Lundstram may take time to display his best self.

The former Huddersfield player has shown impressive sparks in his cameo appearances to date and offers Rangers another exciting dynamic.

He brings a different type of powerful running and combination play to this side which as Gerrard suggests, will only make the collective better.