Ally McCoist rolled back the years tonight to steer Rangers into a Scottish Cup semi-final meeting with Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Ibrox striker McCoist scored twice with classy strikes to floor the gallant First Division leaders and show he is still the man for the big occasion.

McCoist is enjoying a new lease of life at present and was given a boost last week when Scotland manager Craig Brown said he was still in his thoughts for the World Cup finals in France.

The 35-year-old will play in the match against Wales B next week, after being named in the squad last Thursday.

Forty-eight hours later he marked only his second League start for Rangers by scoring in the 2-1 defeat by Motherwell at Fir Park.

He maintained his scoring run tonight and rescued Rangers just when Dundee looked as though they were capable of causing a major Cup upset.

Rangers went into the game without seven regulars, including Brian Laudrup and Paul Gascoigne.

They had seen their stranglehold on the Scottish championship recede in recent weeks and they got off to the worst possible start by conceding a goal after just 11 minutes.

Richard Gough, who returned to the side after suspension, was short with a backpass to keeper Andy Goram.

Steve McCormick managed to fire in a shot, but Goram got a hand to it. The ball broke to Darren Magee, whose effort struck McCormick as he lay on the ground.

James Grady picked up the loose ball and sent a rising shot over Goram and into the net to stun the champions.

But McCoist, who was critical of Rangers' workrate on Saturday, dragged them level after 18 minutes.

Tony Vidmar hoisted a long throw into the penalty area and Marco Negri touched the ball on to McCoist, who escaped his marker to direct a glancing header into the corner.

But Rangers continued to look unsettled in defence and Grady should have added a second goal a minute before the break, when he was left clear from Iain Anderson's quick freekick. However, Grady missed his kick in front of goal.

Grady failed to reappear for the second half after taking a knock and Eddie Annand came on.

Rangers stepped up the pace and McCoist notched his second goal of the night with a wonderful strike from the edge of the area, after Stuart McCall had rolled the ball into his path following Ian Durrant's quick freekick.

Dundee, who look bound for the new Premiership next season, continued to battle hard and Robert Raeside saw a header fly just wide following a freekick from Lee Maddison.

But they were unable to pull the goal back, although on this form they should more than hold their own if they graduate to the top flight next season.

Rangers and Celtic will meet tomorrow at Hampden Park to decide the venue of the semi-final.

Teams

Dundee: Douglas, Smith, Maddison (Tully 78), Adamczuk, Irvine, Raeside, Anderson (Rogers 65), Magee, McCormick, Grady (Annand 46), McInally.

Booked: McInally.

Goals: Grady 11.

Rangers: Goram, Cleland, Vidmar, Gough, Petric, Moore, McCall, McCoist, Negri, Durrant, Gattuso.

Subs Not Used: Johansson, McInnes, Ferguson.

Booked: Cleland, Petric, Gattuso.

Goals: McCoist 18, 57.

Att: 12,418

Ref: J McCluskey (Stewarton).