RANGERS crashed to their first defeat to Dundee at Dens Park in nearly 25 years yesterday – and fell six points behind second-placed Aberdeen in the Ladbrokes Premiership table at the same time.

Goals from Mark O’Hara and Kevin Holt put Paul Hartley’s side in a commanding position at half-time.

Joe Garner pulled one back for the visitors in the second half and his side pushed hard for an equaliser as their opponents tired visibly.

But their efforts were in vain.

It was the first time since a 4-3 victory way back on August 15, 1992, that Dundee had come out on top at home against the Ibrox side.

The defeat means that Rangers, who parted company with their manager Mark Warburton 10 days ago, are now just five points ahead of fourth-placed Hearts in the table.

Rangers must finish no lower than third in the Premiership to be certain of a Europa League place and return to continental competition for the first time in six years.

The need to bring in an interim manager to take charge of team affairs between now and the end of the 2016/17 campaign is more pressing after a painful reverse. Caretaker manager Graeme Murty made three changes to the starting line-up which he had fielded against Morton in the William Hill Scottish Cup at Ibrox seven days previously.

Centre-half Philippe Senderos, midfielder Jason Holt and left-back and captain Lee Wallace — who was injured — were replaced by Rob Kiernan, Joe Garner and Lee Hodson respectively.

Senderos found himself out of the squad altogether while Kiernan, made his first appearance since the dire 4-1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle at the start of the month.

The defender was apparently subjected to abuse by his own side’s supporters following that heavy loss in the capital and in this outing he did little to win back a place in their affections.

Kiernan failed to halt the run of Craig Wighton immediately after kick-off and allowed the midfielder to pick out O’Hara, who then headed wide.

The attacking player and Clint Hill suffered a clash of heads which left both men requiring some medical attention.

The first goal came from an identical move after 13 minutes. Henrik Ojamaa broke into the visitors’ area and cut the ball back to O’Hara who turned a left-foot shot in off the right post.

Rangers’ hopes of getting back into the game suffered a setback on the half hour mark when Hill, who has arguably been their most reliable defender in a difficult campaign, had to go off as a result of the head knock early on. Danny Wilson came on in his place.

Rangers did have chances to equalise in the opening 45 minutes, but failed to take them.

Joe Garner headed a James Tavernier cross wide of goal while Kenny Miller got on the end of an Andy Halliday chip and turned a shot towards goal.

It was the home team, though, who edged in front four minutes before the break after Wilson brought down O’Hara on the edge of his penalty box.

Holt stepped up and curled the free-kick through a sea of bodies and then watched as Wes Foderingham palmed the ball into his own net off the post.

Rangers played with far greater determination in the second half and Tavernier had a free-kick tipped over the crossbar by Dundee goalkeeper Scott Bain in the 48th minute.

Garner netted a spectacular effort in the 61st minute after receiving the ball from Emerson Hyndman.

He cut inside and unleashed a low right-foot drive that ended up in the back of the Dundee net.

The striker was promptly booked by referee Craig Thomson for a foul on Julen Etxabeguren and will now miss the match against Celtic at Parkhead next month.

Rangers have now won just one of their last six Premiership matches, against Motherwell at Fir Park last month.