Dundee manager Tony Docherty hailed his team's performance in their 0-0 draw with Rangers and disagreed with his Ibrox counterpart Philppe Clement's assessment that only the visitors were worthy winners of the match.

The Dens Park outfit landed a significant blow to Rangers' title charge and at the same time enhanced their credentials for finishing in the European places. Fresh from securing their top-six status last weekend, Dundee put in an excellent display against their visitors and came close to scoring through a Scott Tiffoney effort, following on from a fine save from Jack Butland to keep out a Luke McCowan free-kick.

"I thought it was, again, a really fantastic performance by the team," said Docherty. "I thought we went toe to toe with a really good Rangers team which has a huge motivation in the title race. But who had the more motivation in that game there? I thought my players served up a fantastic performance out of possession and in possession. I couldn’t be more pleased with them because I thought their focus going into the last two games was outstanding. And I thought we got our rewards tonight."

Dundee manager Tony Docherty during the goalless draw with Rangers at Dens Park. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

In his own post-match assessment, Clement said Rangers were the only team that deserved to win. "You watched the game and I would strongly disagree with that," retorted Docherty. "It was important in the last couple of games that I made sure my players were focused for every game and we’ve kept that focus over the last two games. We have got results that have been a reward for the focus shown and I thought tonight Rangers had a lot of possession, but I never thought they troubled us."

Dundee had to cope with a knee injury to their captain Joe Shaughnessy after just ten minutes, but the loss of their ever-present skipper did not derail them, with replacement Antonio Portales playing well. The Irishman is, however, a doubt for the Dee's next match against Celtic on April 28. "We'll need to monitor that," added Docherty. "He was feeling a bit weak when he came off. I don't know, is the honest answer - we might need to send him for a scan. My captain comes off and Antonio [Portales] comes on and it was seamless. We had organisation and we had worked on a gameplan in terms of how to play against a really good Rangers team. Antonio comes into it and everything is the same, almost to the letter. If Tiff [Scott Tiffoney] puts that one in then we win the game."

Dundee dispute Philippe Clement assessment of Rangers stalemate - 'I would strongly disagree with that'

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