Rangers confirmed their dominance in the Scottish League Cup with a resounding 3-0 triumph over cross‑city rivals Celtic, securing a place in the competition's semi‑finals. The victory marked manager Derek McInnes's first win in an Old Firm encounter, and it was achieved in front of a jubilant crowd at Ibrox, albeit without any travelling supporters from the away side due to restrictions.
The match opened with Rangers imposing an aggressive, man‑for‑man press that left Celtic scrambling for any foothold. Early chances fell to both sides, but it was Rangers who eventually broke the deadlock. Captain Dan Neil, playing a calm and composed role, struck twice. His first goal arrived in the 23rd minute when, after a sequence of intelligent movement involving front‑line partners Ryan Naderi and the newly signed Kevin Kelsy, he found space on the edge of the penalty area and slotted the ball low into the bottom corner.
The precision of his finish reflected the fluid link‑up play that Rangers had cultivated throughout the opening half. Kevin Kelsy, who arrived at the club for a reported £9.2 million on deadline day, made an immediate impact on his Old Firm debut. After missing an early opportunity, he redeemed himself in the second half.
A flick‑on from Naderi found Kelsy unmarked at the back post, and he volleyed the ball into the net, marking his first goal for Rangers and extending the lead to 2‑0. This strike highlighted Kelsy's ability to adjust quickly to the pace and physicality of Scottish football, as well as the trust McInnes placed in him by positioning him as an auxiliary midfielder during the first half to help overload the central areas. Neil completed his brace with a curling effort from the edge of the box in the 75th minute, sending the ball into the top corner and sealing the win.
His second goal demonstrated his knack for timing runs into dangerous zones and his composure under pressure, qualities that have made him a key figure in the Rangers midfield. Beyond the goals, the match featured several notable moments that illustrated the tactical battle between the two managers.
Early on, Rangers' left‑back James Penrice was deployed in a deeper role, effectively acting as an extra midfielder to help flood the middle of the park. This allowed the team to maintain a high press and limit Celtic's ability to build from the back. Wing‑backs Djeidi Gassama and Minsu Kim provided width and relentless energy, while the defensive trio of Dujon Sterling, Emmanuel Fernandez and Olwethu Makhanya worked in coordinated three‑vs‑three blocks to neutralise Celtic's attacking trident.
Celtic, on the other hand, appeared disjointed and struggled to cope with the intensity of Rangers' pressing. Their attempts to break the press resulted in a handful of half‑chances, but none materialised into clear scoring opportunities. Goalkeeper Johnstone made a series of saves, including a crucial one at the 16th minute when he rushed off his line to parry a low drive, only for the ball to be cleared by Minsu Kim before Rangers' defender Scott Scales cleared it off the line.
Later, at the 49th minute, Johnstone denied Minsu again with a well‑timed punch, and at the 50th minute he saved a close‑range header from Naderi. Despite these efforts, Celtic could not find a rhythm, and their midfield appeared isolated, particularly when compared with the cohesive unit orchestrated by Dan Neil. The match also saw a controversial off‑side call at the 64th minute when Celtic's Raskin appeared to have the final touch before a cross from Penrice, but the referee ruled the play dead, adding to Celtic's frustrations.
By the 72nd minute, Celtic's forward Hassan managed only a shot that sailed over the bar, underscoring the lack of penetration in their attack. In the post‑match analysis, Sky Sports' Adam Binnie praised McInnes for his tactical acumen. He highlighted the decision to push Penrice into a midfield role, which effectively turned the left side into a secondary engine, and the utilization of wing‑backs to stretch the field.
Binnie noted that this approach forced Celtic into a reactive stance, ultimately leading to their collapse under pressure. Rangers' manager Derek McInnes, speaking after the final whistle, expressed his delight with the team's performance. He said, "I'm thrilled with how the players executed the game plan. We didn't have any major lapses, and that consistency is what wins games.
The atmosphere and the result give us a great reference point as we look ahead to the semi‑final." He also acknowledged the broader significance of the win for the club, both on and off the pitch, and hinted at the upcoming challenges, including a crucial league fixture against their rivals that could tighten the title race. Celtic boss Martin O'Neill, while conceding defeat, reflected on the shortcomings of his side. He admitted that Celtic failed to capitalise on the few chances they created in the first half and described the result as a wake‑up call. O'Neill praised Rangers' physical strength and indicated that his team would need to regroup quickly ahead of their next league encounter.
Looking forward, Rangers will travel to face Aberdeen in the semi‑finals scheduled for the weekend of 31 October and 1 November. Meanwhile, Hearts have been drawn against Hibernian, setting up another intriguing tie. The victory not only propels Rangers deeper into the cup but also reinforces their confidence as they chase a potential league title, with the gap to the leaders now narrowed to just two points. Overall, the match was a showcase of tactical discipline, individual brilliance, and the intensity that defines the Old Firm rivalry.
Rangers' comprehensive win will be remembered as a milestone in McInnes's tenure, while Celtic will have to assess their approach and find ways to respond to the challenges posed by a well‑organised, high‑pressing opponent.