Rangers celebrated a commanding 3-0 triumph over their city rivals Celtic, sealing a place in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals and giving manager Derek McInnes his first Old Firm win. The victory, achieved at a packed Ibrox Stadium that was noticeably quiet without travelling Celtic fans, highlighted the effectiveness of McInnes's tactical setup and the impact of new signing Kevin Kelsy, who marked his debut in the derby with a goal. From the outset, Rangers imposed a relentless, man‑to‑man press that left Celtic struggling to find any rhythm. The Glasgow side failed to generate clear chances, and for the first time in seven cup encounters, they were on the losing end of a knockout match against their neighbours.
Early chances fell to both teams: Kelsy and fellow newcomer Minsu Kim each missed promising opportunities, but the deadlock was broken after 23 minutes when stand‑in captain Dan Neil calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. The move was the product of swift inter‑play between the Rangers front two – Ryan Naderi and Kelsy – whose movement created the space Neil needed to strike. Neil’s opening goal set the tone, but the Venezuelan international added a second half strike to double his tally.
After the interval, Ryan Naderi flicked the ball across the six‑yard line, and Kelsy, who had already found the net, volleyed the delivery into the back post, securing his first goal for the club. With the score now 2-0, Rangers continued to dominate possession and territory.
Fifteen minutes from full‑time, Neil completed his brace, curling a powerful shot from the edge of the area into the top corner, leaving Celtic goalkeeper Johnstone with no chance. The final whistle confirmed a 3-0 win and a ticket to the semi‑finals, where Rangers will travel to face Aberdeen on the weekend of October 31‑November 1.
Their opponents in the other semi‑final, Hearts, will meet Hibernian. The match featured several notable moments that underscored Rangers' superiority. At the four‑minute mark, a mis‑clearance by Johnstone fell to Kelsy, who found himself one‑on‑one with the keeper; his shot drifted wide. Later, at 16 minutes, Johnstone again mishandled a ball, allowing Minsu Kim a chance that was ultimately cleared off the line by defender Scales.
The decisive goal at 23 minutes came after a defensive lapse by Carter‑Vickers, enabling Kelsy to feed Neil, who finished decisively. The second half saw Johnstone produce a vital save from Kim’s effort at 49 minutes, followed by another stop on Naderi’s header at 50 minutes. Kelsy redeemed his earlier miss at 59 minutes, smashing a Penrice cross into the net for his inaugural Rangers goal.
A controversial off‑side decision at 64 minutes saw Celtic’s Raskin appear to score, but the goal was disallowed. Celtic’s lone chance came at 72 minutes when Hassan’s strike sailed over the bar, and the final blow arrived at 76 minutes when Neil’s second goal cemented the result. Post‑match analysis from Sky Sports’ Adam Binnie highlighted McInnes’s strategic adjustments. By deploying left‑back James Penrice in a deeper, midfield‑like role, Rangers flooded the centre of the pitch, facilitating a high‑press system that suffocated Celtic’s build‑up play.
Wing‑backs Djeidi Gassama and Minsu Kim provided width and relentless energy, while a compact defensive trio of Dujon Sterling, Emmanuel Fernandez and Olwethu Makhanya neutralised Celtic’s attacking trio in three‑vs‑three duels. This bold approach paid dividends, as Celtic’s midfield, anchored by Callum McGregor, found itself isolated without a defensive partner, allowing Dan Neil to dominate the central areas.
McInnes praised his squad’s performance, emphasizing the lack of mistakes and the importance of the win as a reference point for future fixtures. He noted the need to maintain focus ahead of the semi‑final and the upcoming league match, stressing that the team had delivered a “big performance” when it mattered most.
The manager also highlighted the club’s strength both on and off the pitch, suggesting that the result would serve as a positive example for newer players within the organization. Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, on the other hand, admitted his side were outplayed. He reflected on missed opportunities in the first half, acknowledging that Celtic had failed to capitalise on chances when they broke the press. O’Neill described the defeat as a wake‑up call, stressing the significance of the Old Firm fixture for fans and the broader football community.
He warned that the upcoming league clash would be a stern test of Celtic’s resilience, both physically and tactically. Beyond the immediate result, the match carries broader implications for the Scottish football calendar. Rangers, buoyed by this emphatic win, will aim to carry momentum into their league campaign, hoping to close the gap on the table leaders. The semi‑final against Aberdeen promises another high‑stakes encounter, while Celtic must regroup quickly to address the deficiencies exposed by Rangers’ pressing game.
The Old Firm rivalry, often described as one of the most intense in world football, continues to shape the narrative of Scottish sport, with each encounter influencing not only the clubs’ fortunes but also the morale of their extensive fan bases. In summary, Rangers’ 3-0 victory over Celtic was a showcase of tactical discipline, effective pressing, and clinical finishing.
Dan Neil’s brace, Kevin Kelsy’s debut goal, and the cohesive team performance under Derek McInnes’s guidance all contributed to a result that will be remembered as a defining moment in this season’s League Cup run. The win sets up an exciting semi‑final showdown with Aberdeen and reinforces Rangers’ status as serious contenders for silverware this year.