RANGERS sealed the Championship title with a 1-0 win over Dumbarton at Ibrox on Tuesday night.

A combination of some resolute Sons defending, a good performance from goalkeeper Jamie Ewings and a lack of killer instinct from Gers prevented a more emphatic victory.

The home fans weren’t bothered though as James Tavernier's second-half strike meant they could celebrate the end of their team's four-year stint out of the top flight.

Dumbarton manager Stevie Aitken made two changes to the side which drew 0-0 at home to Morton on Saturday. Scott Taggart and Calum Waters replaced Paul Heffernan and the injured Darren Barr.

There was a party atmosphere at Ibrox as a packed home crowd came expecting a resounding Rangers win.

However in the opening stages Sons were able to nullify Rangers’ attacking threat and Ewings was rarely tested.

Aitken had fielded four full backs with Waters and Taggart deployed in wide midfield to protect Steven Saunders and Mark Docherty behind them.

Sons should have had the first clear chance at goal after 18 minutes. Jamie Lindsay did well in midfield before feeding it to Waters on the left. The on-loan Celtic man had the perfect chance to square to Christian Nade who would’ve had an easy finish but he took an extra touch and Rob Kiernan was able to clear his cross.

Harry Forrester then tried his luck from range but Ewings saved low to his left.

Barrie McKay was next to threaten for Gers when he got free on the left wing, with plenty of time he fizzed a ball across goal but it was just out of Kenny Miller’s reach.

On the half hour mark a loose ball saw Andy Halliday and Jon Routledge dive into a challenge with the Gers midfielder coming worse off and Routledge seeing yellow. The home fans were outraged that it wasn’t red, it did look like a lunge from the Englishman which could have been punished more heavily.

Some quick passing following a short corner for Gers set up Kenny Miller for a strike at goal, his curling effort veered just wide.

James Tavernier was next to have a pop from range but his effort was deflected over.

Sons were able to hang on until half-time after a well organised defensive showing, although Rangers had aided them with too much deliberation in the final third and slack final balls.

In the second half and Rangers wasted no time in working Ewings. A Forrester cross from the right was well kept in by McKay, his header set up Billy King who struck it sweetly with his left but Ewings produced a great save. Forrester tried his luck next from the edge of the area, the swerve looked like wrong-footing Ewings but having already dived the wrong way he saved with one hand to keep the score level.

However Gers wouldn’t have to wait long to break the deadlock. After working the ball around the angles from a short corner, Forrester played Holt in down the right, his square ball found Tavernier six yards out and he tapped home to the relief of the home crowd.

Rangers had a penalty shout on the hour when King went down in a Routledge challenge, but referee McLean waved away the appeal.

Sons barely threatened, but Nade was doing his best to trouble the Light Blues’ centre backs with the scraps he was given.

With 20 minutes to go he hit a dipping volley from 30 yards which tested Wes Foderingham, the goalkeeper held it well.

Sons’ strong defensive display continued into the dying stages as time and again Rangers were foiled by a last-ditch tackle or block.

When the defence was breached Ewings was showing why he continues to keep Mark Brown out of the Sons side.

With four minutes to go O’Halloran got goal side of Docherty and one on one with Ewings opened his body up ready to bend the ball into the far corner but an outstretched leg from the Sons stopper put it around the post.

Rangers: Foderingham, Tavernier, Kiernan, Wilson, Wallace, Halliday, Forrester (Shiels, 75), Holt, McKay (O’Halloran, 61), King, Miller (Clark, 85). Subs not used: Bell, Ball, Law, Zelalem.

Dumbarton: Ewings, Saunders, Buchanan, Wright, Docherty, Taggart, Lindsay (Gallagher, 60), Routledge, Waters (Cawley, 66) Fleming (McCallum, 82) Nade. Subs not used: Brown, Heffernan, Heh

Referee: Steven McLean

Attendance: 48,568