Rangers celebrated a commanding 3-0 triumph over their Glasgow rivals Celtic, a victory that not only marked Derek McInnes's first win in an Old Firm encounter as manager but also propelled the Ibrox side into the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup. The match, played in front of a largely silent Ibrox crowd due to the absence of travelling supporters, showcased a disciplined, high‑pressing Rangers team that left Celtic floundering for large periods. From the opening whistle, the visitors struggled to cope with the intensity of Rangers' man‑for‑man press. The Scottish champions, under McInnes's tactical blueprint, forced Celtic into making hurried decisions and rarely found space to create clear-cut chances.
The pressure paid off early when captain Dan Neil, who had been given the armband for the match, opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. After a sequence of quick, incisive passes involving the newly signed Venezuelan forward Kevin Kelsy and fellow attacker Ryan Naderi, Neil found a pocket of space on the edge of the box. He calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving the home side a deserved lead. The goal was the first of several key moments that highlighted the impact of Rangers' recent signings.
Kevin Kelsy, a £9.2 million deadline‑day acquisition, made his Old Firm debut and was instrumental in the build‑up to Neil's strike. Although he missed a couple of early opportunities, his movement and link‑up play with Naderi and the midfield unit created constant threats. Later in the first half, the Venezuelan international added his own name to the scoresheet. After a clever flick‑on from Naderi that found Kelsy at the far post, the forward volleyed the ball into the net, marking his first goal for the club and extending Rangers' advantage to 2-0.
The second half saw Celtic attempting to regroup, but the Rangers defence, marshalled by goalkeeper Allan McGregor and a disciplined back line, repelled every attempt. Celtic goalkeeper Johnstone made a series of notable saves, including a reflex stop from a close‑range header by Dujon Sterling and a crucial intervention that kept the ball out of the net after a scramble in the box. Despite these efforts, Rangers continued to dominate possession and create scoring chances. In the 76th minute, Neil completed his brace with a curling effort from the edge of the area that flew into the top corner, sealing a 3-0 victory.
The captain's second goal underscored his importance not only as a leader but also as a prolific finisher, and it effectively ended any hopes Celtic might have entertained of a comeback. Beyond the goals, the match offered a masterclass in tactical execution from McInnes.
He deployed left‑back James Penrice in a hybrid role, allowing him to drift into midfield and help overload the central zones. This strategic shift gave Rangers the numerical superiority needed to press Celtic high up the pitch and disrupt their build‑up play. Wing‑backs Djeidi Gassama and Minsu Kim provided width and relentless energy, while the midfield trio of Dan Neil, Dujon Sterling, and Emmanuel Fernandez held a three‑versus‑three battle against Celtic's attacking line, effectively nullifying the influence of their playmaker Callum McGregor.
The result also has broader implications for the Scottish football calendar. With this win, Rangers are set to face Aberdeen in the semi‑finals, scheduled for the weekend of 31 October and 1 November.
Meanwhile, Hearts have been drawn against Hibernian. A victory over Aberdeen would place Rangers within striking distance of the league title, narrowing the gap to just two points and intensifying the race for the Premiership crown. In post‑match interviews, McInnes praised his team's performance, emphasizing the collective effort and the tactical discipline displayed. He highlighted the importance of maintaining the high standards set at Ibrox and expressed confidence ahead of the upcoming semi‑final.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, on the other hand, acknowledged his side's shortcomings, noting that they were out‑performed physically and tactically. He admitted that the defeat should serve as a wake‑up call and promised to regroup quickly for the next league fixture. The match also featured several noteworthy moments that were captured in the official highlights.
At the 4‑minute mark, Johnstone attempted a clearance that inadvertently found Kelsy, who was ready to strike, but his shot sailed wide. A similar defensive lapse occurred at 16 minutes when Johnstone's attempt to punch the ball away resulted in a clearance that reached Minsu Kim, whose subsequent shot was cleared off the line by Rangers defender Connor Scales. The 23‑minute goal, described by commentators as a deserved lead, came after a mis‑clearance by Celtic defender Carter‑Vickers, allowing Kelsy to feed Neil for the opening strike. The second half saw further drama: Johnstone produced a spectacular save at the 49‑minute mark, denying Minsu Kim, and again at 50 minutes, he tipped a close‑range header from Naderi onto the crossbar.
At 59 minutes, Kelsy redeemed his earlier miss by smashing in a cross from Penrice, making it 2‑0. A controversial offside decision at 64 minutes saw Celtic's Raskin appear to score, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review. The final goal, Neil's second, arrived at 76 minutes, cementing the 3‑0 scoreline.
Overall, the encounter demonstrated Rangers' ability to combine aggressive pressing, tactical flexibility, and clinical finishing. Their success against a historically formidable opponent like Celtic signals a strong intent to challenge for both the cup and the league title this season. The upcoming semi‑final against Aberdeen promises to be a further test of their resolve, while Celtic will look to bounce back quickly in their next league match, hoping to learn from the lessons of this heavy defeat.