THE individual bragging rights and the team points were claimed by Alfredo Morelos and Rangers on Wednesday night. It wasn’t for a lack of effort from Darren O’Dea and Dundee, though.

The battle between the Light Blues striker and the former Celtic defender was a hard-fought one but it was Morelos that had all the reasons to be cheerful.

His strike midway through the first half - his 28th of a stunning season - made it 3-0 to Rangers and clinched the points. Fortunately for Dundee, only one more would follow as Jermain Defoe completed the scoring late on.

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It is fair to say that O’Dea isn’t the only stopper that has found life against Morelos tough this term but the 32-year-old relished an old-fashioned tussle at Ibrox.

O’Dea said: “I went down in the first half but it was just a bit of fun - I kicked Morelos and he kicked me. He’s a good player and I always enjoy playing against him.

“He’s physical and likes the rough and tumble. He gets kicked a lot so it’s only fair he kicks out the odd time.

“He’s up for a scrap and gets a name for going over the top but probably takes more punishment than he gives out.

“I’ve no issues with him. I like that side of the game and I’ve kicked him before and he gave me one back so that’s fine.”

By the time Morelos scored as he tapped home at the back post, the game was already well outwith Dundee’s reach.

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Early strikes from Glen Kamara and James Tavernier had Rangers in control and O’Dea was frustrated with a sluggish start from Jim McIntyre’s side.

He said: “It was a tough game. They started very well and got a goal we were disappointed with.

“When you go to Ibrox you’re going to face a lot of quality and it was a set play and it was basic and gave them a complete lift.

“After that, we were 2-0 down after eight minutes and you’re fearing the worst.

“But in fairness to the boys they stuck at it. We got in at half time and tried to make a game of it in the second half.

“We created a couple of chances but the game was gone and it was just about our character as a team. We did okay in the second half but overall it was a difficult game.”

If losing 4-0 at Ibrox wasn’t bad enough, there was worse news to follow for Dundee when they returned to the dressing room.

The Dees are now 11th in the standings after Hamilton’s surprise victory at Pittodrie.

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O’Dea said: “It won’t be games like Wednesday that decide who stays up. We’ve got big games coming up against Hearts and Celtic so it doesn’t get any easier.

“And then go into a massive game against St Mirren but after the split the tight and nervy games will kick in. It’s a mini league between ourselves, St Mirren and Hamilton and it’s about who can pick up the most points.

“It was obviously a good result for Hamilton but I’m not too fussed about other teams because ultimately if we don’t win games it won’t matter.

“We’ll concentrate on ourselves and it’s over the course of a season that things get decided.

“There’s still big games to come before the split and then obviously after it a lot to play for.”