Rangers delivered a commanding performance at Ibrox, beating Celtic 3-0 and booking their place in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals. The victory marked manager Derek McInnes's first triumph in an Old Firm encounter, and it came in front of a largely empty stadium as the match was played without travelling supporters from the rival side. The game opened with both teams testing each other, but Rangers' aggressive, man‑for‑man press soon began to dominate.
Celtic struggled to find rhythm under the relentless pressure, failing to create any clear-cut chances. Early on, Rangers' new signing Kevin Kelsy, who arrived for £9.2 million on deadline day, and fellow newcomer Minsu Kim each missed promising opportunities, but the breakthrough came in the 23rd minute.
Captain Dan Neil, acting as a stand‑in skipper, calmly collected a pass on the edge of the box and slotted the ball into the bottom corner after a swift move involving the front pair of Ryan Naderi and Kelsy. Neil's first goal gave McInnes's side a deserved lead and set the tone for the rest of the half. The second half saw the Venezuelan forward, who had already made an impression with his work rate, double his tally.
After a flick‑on from Naderi, Kelsy met the ball with a clean volley, directing it past Celtic's keeper into the back of the net. That goal not only marked Kelsy's first for Rangers but also restored his confidence after the earlier miss.
With fifteen minutes remaining, Neil completed his brace. He received the ball just outside the penalty area, cut inside and unleashed a curling shot that found the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. The goal sealed a comprehensive 3-0 win and sent the Rangers faithful into a celebratory mood. In addition to the three goals, the match featured several notable moments that highlighted the tactical nuances of McInnes's game plan.
Early on, Johnstone attempted a clearance that fell directly to Kelsy, who tried a low effort but missed the target. Later, a second Johnstone error saw him punch the ball away only for Minsu Kim to get a shot on goal, which was cleared off the line by Celtic defender Scales.
These incidents underscored the chaotic nature of Celtic's defence under sustained pressure. Rangers' defensive solidity was equally impressive.
Goalkeeper Johnstone produced a crucial save in the 49th minute, denying a powerful strike from Minsu Kim. He followed that with another important intervention a minute later, when he tipped away a close‑range header from Naderi.
These actions kept Celtic at bay and preserved the clean sheet. The match also included a controversial off‑side call in the 64th minute. Celtic's Raskin appeared to get the final touch on a cross from Penrice, but the referee ruled the play offside, nullifying what could have been a much‑needed goal for the visitors. Celtic's attempts to get back into the game were further hampered by missed chances, such as Hassan's effort that sailed over the bar in the 72nd minute.
After the final whistle, the focus shifted to the upcoming semi‑final clash with Aberdeen, scheduled for the weekend of October 31–November 1. Hearts will meet Hibernian in the other semi‑final, setting up an intriguing final if both fixtures go as expected. Sky Sports' Adam Binnie provided a tactical breakdown of McInnes's approach.
The manager deployed left‑back James Penrice in a quasi‑midfield role, allowing Rangers to overload the centre of the pitch and maintain a high‑pressing shape. Wing‑backs Djeidi Gassama and Minsu Kim were tasked with providing width and energy, while the midfield trio of Dujon Sterling, Emmanuel Fernandez and Olwethu Makhanya executed a disciplined three‑versus‑three system against Celtic's attacking line.
This strategic setup forced Celtic to operate in isolation, particularly highlighting the struggles of their midfield maestro Callum McGregor, who found himself without a defensive partner to aid in ball recovery. Dan Neil, meanwhile, emerged as the midfield general for Rangers, dictating tempo and linking defense with attack.
Following the win, McInnes praised his team's execution, saying, "I'm delighted with the performance of so many today. We didn't have a single failure, and that's what it takes to win.
It's a good reference for us going forward." He added that the squad would now turn their attention to the semi‑final while also preparing for the next league fixture, emphasizing the need for consistency. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill acknowledged the defeat, noting that his side had missed chances in the first half and were ultimately second best.
He remarked, "We were well beaten in the end. The first half we didn't capitalise on a couple of decent chances when we'd broken their press. It's a wake‑up call for us and we need to learn from it." O'Neill also highlighted the significance of the Old Firm rivalry, describing it as one of the great fixtures in European football and stressing the importance of bouncing back quickly. Overall, the match demonstrated Rangers' ability to blend tactical discipline with attacking flair.
Their high‑press, compact midfield, and effective use of wide players created numerous scoring opportunities, while the defensive unit, anchored by Johnstone's crucial saves, ensured a shut‑out. As the club moves forward, the momentum from this emphatic victory will be crucial in their pursuit of silverware, and fans will be eager to see whether they can replicate the same intensity against Aberdeen in the semi‑final.