Rangers delivered a commanding performance at Ibrox, beating their city rivals Celtic 3‑0 and booking a place in the Scottish League Cup semi‑finals. The victory marked Derek McInnes's first triumph in an Old Firm clash as manager, and it was achieved in front of a largely silent Ibrox crowd because away supporters were not permitted to attend. The match opened with both teams trying to impose their own style, but Rangers quickly asserted dominance with an aggressive, man‑for‑man press that left Celtic floundering.
Early chances fell to the visitors, yet neither side could finish, and the deadlock was broken after 23 minutes when stand‑in captain Dan Neil, who had been quiet for most of the first half, struck a precise low‑driven shot from the edge of the penalty area. The goal came after a well‑timed interchange between Ryan Naderi and the newly signed Venezuelan striker Kevin Kelsy, whose movement created the space Neil needed to curl the ball into the bottom corner.
Neil’s opener set the tone for the rest of the game. Just before the interval, Kelsy, who was making his Old Firm debut after arriving on deadline day for a reported £9.2 million, equalised for Rangers. After a flick‑on from Naderi that looped across the six‑yard line, Kelsy met the ball with a clean volley, sending it past Celtic goalkeeper Johnstone and into the net. The goal not only gave the visitors a two‑goal cushion but also marked Kelsy’s first goal for his new club, a promising sign for the investment the Rangers board have made.
The third and final goal arrived in the 75th minute, when Neil completed his brace. Picking up the ball on the left side of the box, he cut inside and unleashed a curling shot that sailed into the top corner, leaving Johnstone with no chance. The goal effectively sealed the match, confirming Rangers’ place in the semi‑finals where they will meet Aberdeen on the weekend of October 31‑November 1.
Throughout the 90 minutes, Celtic struggled to find any rhythm against the relentless press. Their attempts to break forward were repeatedly smothered, and they failed to create a clear-cut opportunity. The home side’s tactical setup, orchestrated by McInnes, involved using left‑back James Penrice as an auxiliary midfielder, which helped flood the centre of the pitch and maintain pressure on Celtic’s back line. Wing‑backs Djeidi Gassama and Minsu Kim provided width and energy, while the midfield trio of Dujon Sterling, Emmanuel Fernandez and Olwethu Makhanya formed a compact three‑man block that out‑numbered Celtic’s attacking midfielders.
Celtic’s midfield maestro Callum McGregor found himself isolated, lacking a defensive partner to help shield the back four. This imbalance allowed Rangers to dominate possession and dictate the tempo, forcing Celtic into a reactive posture. The Scottish Premiership’s most storied rivalry lived up to its reputation, but the balance of power was clearly with the home side on this occasion.
Key moments that illustrated Rangers’ superiority included a series of defensive errors from Celtic goalkeeper Johnstone. At the 4‑minute mark, a routine clearance by Johnstone was mis‑hit, landing at Kelsy’s feet, who tried to finish but sent the ball wide. Later, at 16 minutes, Johnstone’s attempt to punch the ball away was intercepted by Minsu Kim, whose shot was cleared off the line by Celtic defender Scott Scales. At 23 minutes, the decisive opening goal came after a defensive lapse from Celtic defender Carter‑Vickers, allowing Kelsy to feed Neil, who calmly finished.
In the second half, Celtic had a few moments of promise. At 49 minutes, Johnstone made a crucial save from a close‑range effort by Minsu Kim, and at 50 minutes he denied a header from Naderi. However, Rangers responded immediately. At 59 minutes, Kelsy redeemed his missed chance from the first half by smashing in a Penrice cross, restoring his confidence and extending the lead.
A subsequent off‑side goal was ruled out when Raskin was deemed to have the final touch before a headed attempt by Fernandez. Celtic’s attempts to get back into the game were limited to a few long‑range shots that went over the bar, such as Hassan’s effort at 72 minutes. The post‑match reaction highlighted the tactical acumen of Derek McInnes. In a press conference, McInnes praised his squad’s execution, saying, "I’m delighted with the performance of so many today.
We didn’t have any major failures, and that’s what it takes to win. It’s a good reference for us moving forward." He added that the team would now turn its attention to the upcoming semi‑final and the next league fixture, emphasizing the need to maintain focus and intensity.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, on the other hand, admitted his side were outplayed. He noted, "We were well beaten in the end. In the first half we didn’t capitalise on a couple of decent chances when we broke their press. It’s a wake‑up call for us." O'Neill also reflected on the significance of the Old Firm derby, calling it "one of the great fixtures in European football, if not the world," and stressed that his team must learn from the defeat as they prepare for the next weekend’s league match.
Looking ahead, Rangers will travel to Aberdeen’s Pittodrie Stadium for the semi‑final, while Hearts have been drawn against Hibernian. The win over Celtic not only gives Rangers momentum in the cup but also narrows the gap in the league, keeping them within two points of the leaders. The performance also serves as a benchmark for new signings like Kelsy, who have now begun to justify their transfer fees with tangible contributions on the pitch. Overall, the match showcased a masterclass in pressing, disciplined defending, and clinical finishing from Rangers.
Their ability to adapt tactics, use players in unconventional roles, and maintain a high work rate proved decisive. For Celtic, the defeat will prompt a reassessment of their midfield structure and defensive organization, as they look to bounce back in the league and restore pride in one of Scotland’s most passionate rivalries.