Rangers confirmed their dominance in Scottish football with a convincing 3-0 triumph over arch‑rivals Celtic, earning a place in the Scottish League Cup semi‑finals. The victory marked manager Derek McInnes's first success in an Old Firm encounter, and it was highlighted by a brace from captain Dan Neil and a debut goal from the £9.2 million deadline‑day acquisition Kevin Kelsy. The match unfolded at a largely empty Ibrox Stadium, as restrictions meant no travelling Celtic supporters were present.
From the outset, Rangers imposed an aggressive, man‑for‑man press that left Celtic floundering. The Glasgow side struggled to find rhythm, producing few clear chances and ultimately suffering their first cup defeat in seven meetings against their city rivals.
Early chances fell to both Kelsy and newcomer Minsu Kim, but both players missed, allowing the hosts to settle into control. The breakthrough arrived in the 23rd minute.
After a fluid interchange between the front two – Ryan Naderi and Kelsy – the ball found its way to the edge of the penalty area where Dan Neil, the stand‑in skipper, calmly slotted it into the bottom corner. The goal was the product of precise movement and quick link‑up play, underscoring Rangers' tactical discipline. The second half saw the Venezuelan international, Kelsy, make his mark.
After a missed opportunity in the first half, he reacted to a flick‑on from Naderi at the far post, volleying the ball into the net to register his inaugural goal for the club. The strike demonstrated his growing confidence and hinted at the impact the summer signing could have in the coming season. Neil added a third, and his second of the match, with fifteen minutes remaining. From the edge of the box he unleashed a curling effort that found the top corner, sealing a comprehensive win and cementing his status as the match’s standout performer.
Rangers will now travel to face Aberdeen in the semi‑finals scheduled for the weekend of 31 October and 1 November, while Hearts have been drawn against Hibernian. Key moments of the game were captured in a detailed minute‑by‑minute recap: - 4': Johnstone attempted a clearance but mis‑hit the ball straight to Kelsy, who found the goalkeeper out of position. His shot was wide. - 16': Johnstone again erred, punching the ball away only for Minsu Kim to collect it.
A powerful strike was met by a last‑ditch clearance from Celtic keeper Scales. - 23': The opening goal – Carter‑Vickers failed to clear, Kelsy delivered a low ball to Neil, who finished from the edge of the area. - 49': Johnstone produced a fine save, denying Minsu Kim’s early second‑half attempt. - 50': Another close call as Naderi’s header was parried by the Celtic keeper.
- 59': Kelsy redeemed his earlier miss, smashing a Penrice cross into the net for his first goal in a Rangers shirt. - 64': An off‑side goal was disallowed after Raskin’s touch and a failed header from Fernandez. - 72': Celtic’s Hassan saw his effort sail over the bar.
- 76': Neil’s second strike, a curling finish into the top corner, effectively sealed the tie. Post‑match analysis from Sky Sports’ Adam Binnie highlighted McInnes’s tactical blueprint. The manager deployed left‑back James Penrice in a quasi‑midfield role, creating numerical superiority in the centre of the park and enabling a high‑press system that suffocated Celtic’s build‑up play. Wing‑backs Djeidi Gassama and Minsu Kim supplied width and relentless energy, while a trio of midfielders – Dujon Sterling, Emmanuel Fernandez and Olwethu Makhanya – executed a disciplined three‑vs‑three defensive block against Celtic’s attacking unit.
The strategy paid dividends: Celtic appeared disorganized under the pressure, and Dan Neil emerged as the midfield general, out‑working his opposite number Callum McGregor, who was left isolated without a defensive partner. McInnes’s side now faces the psychological challenge of a semi‑final away from home, with no travelling support expected at the venue.
Rangers boss Derek McInnes praised his squad after the win: "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 gives us a good reference point moving forward.
The game demanded our full attention and a big performance, and I’m pleased we delivered. The strength of the club is evident both on and off the pitch, and it’s a great reference for the players and the supporters alike." Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, reflecting on the defeat, admitted: "We were well beaten in the end.
In the first half we failed to capitalise on a couple of decent chances after breaking their press. We were second best today. It’s a wake‑up call – we need to learn from this and improve before the next game. Rangers are physically strong; they surprised me in no way.
It will be a big test for us again next Sunday." The win not only propels Rangers deeper into the cup but also narrows the league gap to just two points, intensifying the title race as the season progresses. The club’s supporters, even in reduced numbers, celebrated the emphatic display, viewing it as a statement of intent ahead of the crucial fixtures that lie ahead.