Rangers 1-0 Dumbarton: Gers promoted to Scottish Premiership

Rangers sealed the Scottish Championship title and promotion back to the top flight with a 1-0 win over Dumbarton.

The club's four-year mission to return to the Scottish Premiership was sealed with a second-half goal from James Tavernier in front of a sell-out crowd at Ibrox.

Gers fans, who have endured a tortuous few years of financial turmoil and uncertainty, hailed manager Mark Warburton for clinching promotion with their 25th victory of the season and four league games remaining.

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Scottish football has missed its greatest rivalry, the Old Firm, but Rangers and Celtic will now contest a Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday week as a taste of what is to return next season.

Rangers by no means cruised to victory against a well-organised Dumbarton defence, with 'keeper Jamie Ewings making comfortable saves from Harry Forrester and Tavernier early on.

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Striker Kenny Miller flashed a shot from outside the box over the bar in the 37th minute and Rangers had to step up the tempo in the second half to seal their win.

Dumbarton's Ewings was forced into a fine double save, first from midfielder Billy King then again from Forrester in the 50th minute, he was eventually beaten when Tavernier converted a pass from Jason Holt from close range.

Gers supporters extended into full voice as confirmation of their promotion neared, and their side could have had a second when Ewings saved Tavernier's header from Forrester's cross.

Dumbarton striker Christian Nade tested Gers keeper Wes Foderingham with a fierce drive at the other end before Ewings saved with his feet from O'Halloran this time, denying the hosts a second in the 86th minute.

Rangers have dominated the Scottish Championship from start to finish this season, remaining top of the division from game one to game 32 on Tuesday, after hiring former Brentford manager Warburton last summer.

They won their first 11 Championship games, dropping points for the first time in a 2-1 defeat by Hibernian in November, but lost just twice more and dropped points in four other draws.

Warburton, along with sporting director Frank McParland, who worked with him at Brentford, have built a strong side, attracting the likes of Tavernier, Martyn Waghorn and Rob Kiernan from Wigan, and Danny Wilson, Billy King and Jason Holt from Hearts.