Gio van Bronckhorst changed almost half his team in the second half at Dens Park as his five subs made a dramatic impact to deliver three priceless Premiership points.
But Mark Hateley reckons Rangers could have sent out an entirely different team and still got the job done.
The club legend knows the first half on Tayside wasn’t up to much but it’s the strength in depth and ability to change things up that has got him believing this season could turn in to something really special at Ibrox.
Hateley looks at van Bronckhorst’s squad and sees quality at every turn, even beyond the starting line up. That’s why he’s convinced fans are entitled to be dreaming of an incredible Treble.
Van Bronckhorst’s men have defied the odds to reach the Europa League last eight, are within striking distance in the league and square up with Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
It’s going to take a heck of a push with the games coming thick and fast after the international break. But the historic haul is in their sights and Hateley is adamant this group can go out and grab it.
He said: “I don’t have concerns (about the workload). I look at the size of the squad and it’s quality from top to bottom. You could pick another XI that could have started on Sunday.
“The key thing is keeping all the key players fit and focused, and you do that by winning games. For me it’s not a difficult thing, it’s about winning the game and moving on.
“They’ve got a target of 15 games they need to win if they want to win everything this season.
“We’re in a situation where they haven’t won anything yet but they are in a really strong position and if they can exploit the ability they have through the squad and have the right focus, physically and mentally, then I feel they are strong.
“They’ve got a strong manager with strong character, who is not afraid to change things up and go deep in to his squad. Rangers fans will look at this and feel confident.”
It wasn’t working for Rangers in the opening 45 minutes at Dens, with Christie Elliott’s opener putting them in a jam.
But van Bronckhorst chucked on Joe Aribo and Fashion Sakala at half time, Kemar Roofe joined in soon after before Glen Kamara and Leon Balogun arrived late on to make sure the turnaround was complete after Aaron Ramsey ’s first goal for the club and Connor Goldson’s winner with four minutes to go.
Hateley admitted any one of the five could have started and it proved the power van Bronckhorst has right now.
It also showed the gaffer is not afraid to be bold and it’s the mark of champions to dig our results when there could be excuses made about European hangovers, nightmare playing surfaces and bad days at the office.
Hateley said: “It was an instant impact from the bench. That’s what you get when you have the quality and strength in depth.
“This is where the test will come for Rangers. It’s not the starting XI, it’s about the rest of the players involved who can impact a game. The second half was all Rangers and they deservedly won on the back of that performance.
“It was hard work on a real bobbly pitch but Rangers in the second half were on the front foot. Gio was spot on with his tactics.”
It wasn’t just the subs who made the difference against Dundee as a tactical shift spun the game Rangers’ way.
Moving Ramsey in to a more central role played a huge difference in the flow as the Welshman began to run the show. It’s been a slow burner for the Juventus loanee as he has battled to get back up to fitness following a long spell on the sidelines.
He’s been used sparingly so far and an anonymous first half at Dens didn’t get the pulses racing. But a shift in to the middle saw the 31-year-old spark to life and Hateley is excited he will have a major role to play in the run in.
He said: “Ramsey looked a completely different player to me in the middle of the park. He has more of an influence on the game.
“He had a brilliant piece of skill to set up Alfredo, who should have scored, and the goal came from the corner.
“It was one piece of brilliance from a player who thrives on pressure. This is how he made his career, playing in the middle of the park.
“We saw a very influential Aaron Ramsey who had a big say on the game.”
Rangers have recovered from a fraught February to get back on track in March with three league wins on the spin as well as the European and Scottish Cup victories.
Hateley doesn’t see any sign of rivals Celtic tailing off either but that’s just fine with the Rangers icon who is relishing the old foes going toe to toe in a fight for all the silverware.
He said: “You want the two two teams to be as strong as they can for the finish. It’s an example of Scottish football we want to show off.
“You want the best teams performing at the top level. I think everyone Ange Postecoglou has brought in has settled in and taken to the Scottish game very quickly.
“It’s great for the game. It’s then down to individuals and it was always going to come down to the Old Firm games. It is a mouthwatering finish to the season.”
