Rangers confirmed their dominance in the Scottish League Cup with a convincing 3-0 win over their city rivals Celtic, earning a place in the semi-finals. The victory marked manager Derek McInnes's first triumph in an Old Firm encounter, and it was highlighted by a stellar performance from captain Dan Neil, who scored twice, and a debut goal from recent £9.2 million signing Kevin Kelsy. The match took place at Ibrox Stadium in front of a largely silent crowd, as Celtic were unable to bring any of their supporters to the venue.
From the opening whistle, Rangers imposed an aggressive, man‑for‑man pressing system that left Celtic scrambling for possession. The visitors found it difficult to create clear chances and were forced into a defensive shell, ultimately succumbing to their first cup defeat in seven attempts against their Glasgow neighbours.
Early chances fell to both sides: Kelsy and his fellow winger Minsu Kim each missed promising opportunities, but the breakthrough arrived in the 23rd minute when Neil, playing as a stand‑in skipper, calmly slotted a low‑driven shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area. The goal was the product of swift movement and incisive link‑up play involving the Rangers front line of Ryan Naderi and the newly arrived Kelsy, who had already made an impact with his intelligent positioning. The second half saw the Venezuelan international add his name to the scoresheet. After a flick‑on from Naderi, Kelsy met the ball with a precise volley that rattled the back post, giving him his inaugural goal for the Glasgow club.
With the lead now comfortable, Rangers continued to press, and Neil completed his brace fifteen minutes from time. He received the ball on the edge of the box, cut inside and curled a powerful shot into the top corner, leaving Celtic goalkeeper Johnstone with no chance. The final whistle confirmed a 3-0 triumph, sending Rangers to a semi‑final clash with Aberdeen scheduled for the weekend of 31 October and 1 November, while Hearts will meet Hibernian in the other semi‑final. Key moments of the match were captured in a detailed timeline: at the four‑minute mark, Johnstone attempted a clearance that fell straight to Kelsy, who struck, but the keeper was out of position and the shot missed the target.
Sixteen minutes in, Johnstone again mis‑controlled a ball, allowing Minsu Kim a chance that was ultimately cleared off the line by defender Scales. The decisive first goal arrived at 23 minutes when Carter‑Vickers failed to clear a danger ball, and Kelsy supplied a perfect pass to Neil, who finished clinically. The second half began with a spectacular save from Johnstone at the 49th minute, denying Minsu Kim, followed by another crucial intervention at the 50th minute when Johnstone tipped away a close‑range header from Naderi.
Kelsy's redemption came at 59 minutes when he smashed in a Penrice cross for his first goal in a Rangers shirt. A brief controversy at 64 minutes saw an off‑side goal disallowed after Raskin touched the ball last, highlighting Celtic's defensive disarray. The final goal, at 76 minutes, saw Neil's second strike curl into the top corner, effectively sealing the match. Post‑match analysis from Sky Sports' Adam Binnie praised McInnes's tactical blueprint.
The manager deployed left‑back James Penrice as an auxiliary midfielder, flooding the central area and enabling a high‑press strategy that suffocated Celtic's build‑up play. Wing‑backs Djeidi Gassama and Minsu Kim provided width and relentless energy, while a trio of midfielders—Dujon Sterling, Emmanuel Fernandez and Olwethu Makhanya—engaged in three‑vs‑three battles against Celtic's attacking line. This bold approach paid dividends as Celtic crumbled under sustained pressure. Neil's performance stood out as he out‑worked Celtic's midfield maestro Callum McGregor, who was left isolated without a defensive partner.
The victory also underscored Rangers' depth, with new signings integrating seamlessly into a cohesive unit. McInnes highlighted the significance of the win, stating, "I'm delighted with the performance today.
We didn't have a single failure, and that kind of consistency is what we need moving forward. The atmosphere, the feel‑good factor, and the confidence it gives us ahead of the semi‑final are invaluable." Celtic manager Martin O'Neill admitted his side were outplayed, noting, "We were well beaten in the end. In the first half we had a few decent chances after breaking their press, but we failed to capitalise. This game means a lot to the fans and to everyone involved; it's one of the great fixtures in European football.
We'll learn from this and try to improve before our next match." Looking ahead, Rangers must now prepare for a challenging trip to Aberdeen, a venue where they will not enjoy the support of travelling fans. The semi‑final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports as part of the Scottish Premiership coverage.
A win would put them just two points clear at the top of the league table, tightening the race for the title. Beyond the immediate implications, the match highlighted several broader themes in modern Scottish football: the importance of tactical flexibility, the impact of strategic signings like Kelsy, and the growing emphasis on high‑pressing systems. Rangers' ability to adapt their formation, using a full‑back as a midfield conduit, reflects a trend seen across Europe where traditional positional roles are increasingly fluid. Moreover, the successful integration of a high‑profile summer acquisition demonstrates the club's ambition to compete not only domestically but also on the European stage.
Fans of both clubs will remember this Old Firm encounter for its tactical chess match and the clear statement made by Rangers that they are serious contenders for silverware this season. The semi‑final against Aberdeen promises another intense showdown, while Celtic will need to regroup quickly ahead of their upcoming fixtures, including a crucial league game the following Sunday. For those interested in the full match highlights, a replay is available on the club's official website, and a detailed statistical breakdown can be accessed via the Scottish Professional Football League's portal. The victory also earned Rangers a spot in the Scottish League Cup final should they continue their impressive run, potentially setting up a rematch with Celtic later in the season if both teams navigate their respective paths successfully.