Rangers confirmed their dominance in the Scottish League Cup with a convincing 3‑0 triumph over bitter rivals Celtic, earning 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 packed Ibrox Stadium, albeit without any travelling Celtic supporters due to restrictions. The match opened with Rangers imposing a relentless, high‑pressing style that left Celtic struggling to find rhythm. Early chances fell to both sides, but it was Rangers who finally broke the deadlock.
Captain Dan Neil, who had been playing a more advanced midfield role, struck first in the 23rd minute. After a fluid move involving the forward duo of Ryan Naderi and new signing Kevin Kelsy, Neil received a perfectly timed pass on the edge of the box and calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner, giving McInnes’s side a deserved lead. The goal was a product of the tactical adjustments McInnes introduced.
Left‑back James Penrice was deployed as an auxiliary midfielder, effectively crowding the central area and allowing the team to press Celtic man‑for‑man. This forced Celtic’s midfield into isolation, particularly affecting their playmaker Callum McGregor, who found himself without a defensive partner to shield him. The press paid dividends, as Celtic were unable to create clear-cut opportunities and were forced into a series of frantic, low‑percentage attempts.
In the second half, the Venezuelan forward Kevin Kelsy, who arrived at Rangers for a £9.2 million fee on deadline day, made his Old Firm debut with a goal of his own. After a flick‑on from Naderi that reached the far post, Kelsy met the ball with a well‑timed volley, sending it past Celtic goalkeeper Johnstone and into the net. This marked Kelsy’s first goal for his new club and underscored the immediate impact of the investment.
The final blow came with fifteen minutes remaining. Neil, still brimming with confidence, took another shot from the edge of the penalty area. His strike curled into the top corner, leaving Johnstone no chance and sealing a 3‑0 victory. The captain’s brace not only highlighted his own quality but also cemented Rangers’ control of the tie from start to finish.
Celtic’s attempts to get back into the game were sporadic and largely ineffective. Early in the second half, Johnstone produced a spectacular save to deny Minsu Kim, while later a header from Naderi was also comfortably handled. Celtic’s defensive lapses were evident, with Carter‑Vickers failing to clear a dangerous ball that led directly to the opening goal, and later an off‑side call nullified what could have been a potential equaliser for the Hoops. Statistically, Rangers out‑performed Celtic in virtually every department.
They pressed higher, covered more ground, and created a higher number of clear‑cut chances. The wing‑backs Djeidi Gassama and Minsu Kim provided width and relentless energy, while the midfield trio of James Penrice, Dan Neil and Ryan Naderi controlled the tempo. Defensively, the back four held firm, with Johnstone making several crucial interventions despite the overall pressure.
Following the match, McInnes praised his side’s execution of the game plan. He highlighted the decision to use Penrice in a midfield capacity as a key factor that allowed the team to dominate the centre of the park and disrupt Celtic’s passing lanes.
The manager also lauded the contributions of the new signings, noting that Kelsy’s goal demonstrated the club’s ambition to strengthen the squad for both domestic and European challenges. Rangers now look ahead to a semi‑final clash with Aberdeen, scheduled for the weekend of October 31 – November 1. The victory also sets up a potential showdown with Hearts, who are drawn against Hibernian in the other semi‑final.
A win in the next round would bring Rangers one step closer to a coveted trophy and could narrow the points gap in the Scottish Premiership to just two. Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, on the other hand, admitted that his side had been outplayed.
He reflected on missed opportunities in the first half and described the defeat as a “wake‑up call.” O’Neill emphasized the significance of the Old Firm fixture for fans and the broader football community, noting that despite the loss, the rivalry remains one of the most celebrated fixtures in European football. Both managers addressed the media after the final whistle.
McInnes expressed delight with the team’s performance, stressing that there were no major errors and that the result should serve as a benchmark for future games. He also highlighted the importance of the club’s culture, both on and off the pitch, and encouraged the squad to maintain focus on upcoming challenges, including a crucial league match the following Sunday.
O’Neill, meanwhile, spoke about the need for introspection and improvement. He pointed out that Celtic had failed to capitalise on their chances and that the team would need to regroup quickly ahead of their next league fixture and a midweek cup tie. He praised Rangers for their physical strength and hinted that the upcoming encounter would be a stern test for his side.
In summary, Rangers delivered a masterclass in pressing football, combining tactical discipline, individual brilliance, and effective use of new signings to secure a comprehensive victory over Celtic. The win not only propels them into the semi‑finals of the League Cup but also sends a strong message to their rivals about the ambitions of Derek McInnes’s side.
The upcoming matches promise further excitement as the Scottish football calendar continues to unfold.