Rangers celebrated a commanding 3-0 triumph over their city rivals Celtic, sealing a place in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals and giving new manager Derek McInnes his first Old Firm victory. The win, achieved at a packed Ibrox Stadium that was notably devoid of travelling supporters, highlighted the effectiveness of McInnes' tactical blueprint and the impact of recent signings. From the opening whistle, Rangers imposed an aggressive, man‑to‑man press that left Celtic floundering. The visitors struggled to find rhythm, unable to generate clear-cut chances as the Glasgow side’s high‑intensity approach disrupted their build‑up play.
Early chances fell to both sides: Kevin Kelsy, the £9.2 million deadline‑day acquisition, and his fellow wing‑back Minsu Kim each squandered promising opportunities, but the pressure soon paid off. At the 23‑minute mark, captain Dan Neil broke the deadlock. After a fluid interchange involving the newly signed Venezuelan forward and fellow attacker Ryan Naderi, Neil found space on the edge of the box and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
The goal was a textbook example of precise movement and link‑up play, rewarding the team's early dominance. The second half saw Rangers double their advantage through Kelsy, who redeemed his earlier miss. A clever flick‑on from Naderi found the Venezuelan at the back post, and Kelsy volleyed the ball past the Celtic goalkeeper to make it 2‑0.
His celebration was a testament to his quick adaptation to the Old Firm atmosphere and underscored the value of McInnes’ investment. With fifteen minutes remaining, Neil added a third, curling a shot from the edge of the area into the top corner.
The captain’s brace sealed the match and underscored his leadership role in a game that saw Rangers dominate possession, territory, and chances. Beyond the goals, the match featured several pivotal moments that illustrated the tactical nuance of McInnes’ side. Early on, James Penrice, normally a left‑back, dropped deeper to act as an auxiliary midfielder, helping to congest the central third and facilitate the high press. This positional shift allowed the team to close down Celtic’s midfield quickly, forcing errors and limiting the influence of Celtic playmaker Callum McGregor, who found himself isolated without a defensive partner.
Wing‑backs Djeidi Gassama and Minsu Kim provided width and relentless energy, stretching the Celtic defence and creating space for the forwards. Their overlapping runs forced Celtic full‑backs onto the defensive line, where they were repeatedly caught out.
Meanwhile, the central trio of Dujon Sterling, Emmanuel Fernandez and Olwethu Makhanya executed a disciplined three‑versus‑three defensive block, neutralising Celtic’s attacking thrusts and protecting the backline. The game also produced a series of noteworthy incidents captured in the match timeline. At the 4‑minute mark, Johnstone attempted a clearance that landed directly at Kelsy’s feet; the striker’s shot was wide, but it highlighted the early pressure Rangers were applying.
A crucial defensive clearance by Johnstone at 16 minutes was thwarted by Minsu, whose shot was saved by the Celtic keeper, underscoring the relentless nature of the Rangers attack. The 23‑minute goal, described by commentators as “what they deserved,” came after a mis‑clearance from Celtic defender Carter‑Vickers, allowing Kelsy to feed Neil for the opening strike. In the second half, Johnstone produced a spectacular save at 49 minutes, denying Minsu’s effort, and again at 50 minutes, repelling a close‑range header from Naderi. However, at 59 minutes Kelsy redeemed his earlier miss by smashing in a Penrice cross, restoring Rangers’ momentum.
Later, a controversial off‑side decision involving Raskin and Fernandez was noted, but it did not affect the final tally. The match concluded with Neil’s second goal at 76 minutes, a curling finish into the top corner that effectively sealed Rangers’ passage to the semi‑finals. Post‑match, Sky Sports’ Adam Binnie praised McInnes for his tactical acumen, particularly the decision to use Penrice as a supplementary midfielder to overload the centre of the pitch. This adjustment enabled the team to press high, win second balls, and dominate the midfield battle.
Binnie also highlighted the balanced contribution of the wing‑backs and the defensive trio, describing the strategy as bold yet highly effective. Rangers now await a semi‑final clash with Aberdeen, scheduled for the weekend of October 31/November 1.
Their opponents, Hearts, will face Hibernian in the other semi‑final. The victory not only propels Rangers deeper into the cup but also narrows the gap in the league standings, with the potential to bring them within two points of the leaders if they continue their winning form. In the press conference following the game, McInnes expressed delight with his squad’s performance, emphasizing the lack of major errors and the importance of the result as a reference point for future matches.
He highlighted the club’s strength both on and off the field, noting that the win would serve as a benchmark for newer players and a morale boost for the entire organization. Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, on the other hand, acknowledged his side’s defeat, admitting that they were outperformed and failed to capitalize on the few chances they created in the first half. He described the Old Firm fixture as one of the most significant games in European football, stressing its importance to fans and the broader football community. O’Neill pledged to learn from the loss, pointing to upcoming fixtures—including a mid‑week game and a crucial league encounter the following Sunday—as opportunities for redemption.
Overall, the match demonstrated Rangers’ capacity to execute a high‑pressing, cohesive game plan under a new manager, while also showcasing the immediate impact of recent signings like Kelsy. The comprehensive victory sets a positive tone for their cup run and adds momentum to their league campaign, positioning them as serious contenders for both domestic honours this season.