Rangers confirmed their dominance in Scottish football with a resounding 3-0 triumph over bitter rivals Celtic, sealing a place in the Scottish League Cup semi‑finals. The victory also marked Derek McInnes's first win in an Old Firm encounter since taking charge of the Gers, a milestone that underscored his tactical acumen and the squad’s renewed confidence. The match, played at a packed Ibrox Stadium, saw captain Dan Neil deliver a standout performance, netting a brace that highlighted his composure and finishing ability. Neil opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after a fluid move involving the newly‑signed Venezuelan forward Kevin Kelsy and fellow attacker Ryan Naderi.
The ball was worked out to the edge of the penalty area where Neil calmly slotted it into the bottom corner, giving McInnes’s side an early lead. Kevin Kelsy, who arrived at Rangers on the final day of the transfer window for a reported £9.2 million, made an immediate impact on his Old Firm debut. Although his first‑half attempt was saved, he persisted and, in the second half, turned a flick‑on from Naderi into a powerful volley that found the back of the net, marking his inaugural goal for the club. The Venezuelan’s finish demonstrated his knack for timing runs and exploiting space, qualities that the manager praised in his post‑match interview.
Neil completed his double fifteen minutes from the final whistle, curling a precise strike from the edge of the box into the top corner. The goal left Celtic with little chance of a comeback and cemented Rangers’ three‑goal advantage. Throughout the encounter, Celtic struggled to cope with the aggressive, man‑for‑man pressing system employed by McInnes, which forced them into a series of hurried clearances and limited their ability to create clear-cut chances. The tactical blueprint that underpinned Rangers’ success involved repurposing left‑back James Penrice as an auxiliary midfielder, effectively flooding the centre of the pitch and allowing the team to press high up the field.
Wing‑backs Djeidi Gassama and Minsu Kim provided width and relentless energy, while the midfield trio of Dujon Sterling, Emmanuel Fernandez and Olwethu Makhanya executed disciplined three‑versus‑three defending against Celtic’s attacking unit. This structural shift disrupted Celtic’s rhythm, leaving their midfield orchestrator Callum McGregor isolated and without a defensive partner, a scenario that contributed heavily to the Glasgow side’s collapse. The match report also recorded several key moments that illustrated the intensity of the contest. Early on, Celtic goalkeeper Johnstone made a critical error, mis‑clearing a ball that fell to Kelsy, who then shot wide.
Later, Johnstone produced a spectacular save to deny Minsu Kim’s effort, only to be beaten again by a header from Naderi, which was parried away. The second half saw Kelsy redeem his missed chance by smashing in Penrice’s cross for his first Rangers goal, and a controversial off‑side decision involving Celtic forward Raskin that highlighted the pressure on the Hoops defense. Following the final whistle, McInnes lauded his players, emphasizing the collective effort and the clarity of the game plan. He highlighted the use of Penrice in a midfield capacity as a decisive factor, noting that the ability to press as a unit forced Celtic into a defensive shell.
The manager also praised the squad’s mental strength, especially given the absence of travelling support for the away fans, a situation that added an extra layer of difficulty for the visiting team. Rangers now look ahead to a semi‑final clash with Aberdeen, scheduled for the weekend of 31 October and 1 November. The victory also narrows the league gap to just two points, intensifying the race for the Scottish Premiership title.
Meanwhile, Celtic’s manager Martin O’Neill acknowledged the defeat, admitting that his side failed to capitalize on the few chances they created in the first half and describing the loss as a wake‑up call ahead of their next league fixture. In summary, the 3-0 win not only secured Rangers’ progression in the cup competition but also sent a clear message about the team’s tactical flexibility and depth under McInnes.
With a solid defensive foundation, effective pressing, and the emerging partnership of Neil, Kelsy and Naderi, the Gers have positioned themselves as serious contenders for both the cup and the league title as the season advances.