Rangers confirmed their dominance in the Scottish League Cup with a convincing 3-0 triumph over city rivals Celtic, giving manager Derek McInnes his first Old Firm victory in charge. The win, achieved at a largely empty Ibrox Stadium, propelled the Glasgow side into the competition's semi‑finals, where they will meet Aberdeen on the weekend of October 31/November 1.
The match opened with Rangers imposing an aggressive, man‑for‑man press that left Celtic scrambling for any foothold. Early chances fell to both sides – Kevin Kelsy, the £9.2 million deadline‑day acquisition, and fellow newcomer Minsu Kim each missed clear opportunities in the opening minutes. However, the breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when captain Dan Neil, playing as a stand‑in skipper, calmly slotted a well‑timed strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area. The goal was the product of fluid movement between Neil, Ryan Naderi and Kelsy, who had drawn the defence away before delivering the decisive pass.
Neil’s first goal set the tone, and the Venezuelan international added a second half marker shortly after the interval. After a flick‑on from Naderi that looped over the Celtic back line, Kelsy met the ball with a powerful volley, directing it into the net from the far post. The strike marked Kelsy’s inaugural goal for Rangers and underscored the impact of the club’s summer recruitment. Fifteen minutes from full‑time, Neil completed his brace with a curling effort from the edge of the box that found the top corner, sealing a comprehensive victory.
The match report also highlighted several key moments captured in a minute‑by‑minute breakdown. At the 4‑minute mark, Johnstone attempted a clearance that landed at Kelsy’s feet; the striker’s shot drifted wide. Sixteen minutes in, Johnstone again mis‑handled a ball, allowing Minsu a chance that was ultimately cleared off the line by Scott Scales. The decisive 23‑minute goal came after a defensive lapse by Celtic defender Carter‑Vickers, enabling Kelsy to thread a pass to Neil for the opening tally.
In the second half, the home side continued to press, with Johnstone producing a notable save at the 49th minute and again at the 50th when Naderi’s header was denied. Kelsy redeemed his earlier miss at the 59th minute, smashing in a Penrice cross for his first goal for Rangers. A controversial off‑side decision at the 64th minute saw Raskin’s touch ruled out after Fernandez attempted a header from the same cross. Celtic’s fleeting response at the 72nd minute ended with Hassan’s effort sailing over the bar, and the final blow arrived at the 76th minute when Neil’s second strike curled into the top corner, effectively ending any hope of a comeback.
Analyst Adam Binnie of Sky Sports praised McInnes’s tactical setup, noting the clever use of left‑back James Penrice as a supplementary midfielder to overload the centre of the pitch. This adjustment allowed Rangers to maintain a high‑pressing shape, while wing‑backs Djeidi Gassama and Minsu Kim supplied width and relentless energy. In midfield, Dujon Sterling, Emmanuel Fernandez and Olwethu Makhanya formed a compact three‑man unit that out‑worked Celtic’s attacking trio, leaving their counterpart Callum McGregor isolated and without a defensive partner. McInnes’s post‑match comments reflected his satisfaction with the team’s performance.
He highlighted the collective effort, the absence of major errors, and the positive reference point the win provides for future fixtures. "We took the good moments from the game and the feel‑good factor forward," he said, adding that the squad must now turn its attention to the upcoming semi‑final while also preparing for the next league encounter. He lauded the club’s strength both on and off the pitch, emphasizing the morale boost for players and supporters alike.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, on the other hand, acknowledged his side’s shortcomings. He admitted that Celtic failed to capitalise on the few chances they created in the first half and described the defeat as a wake‑up call. O’Neill praised Rangers’ physicality and warned that his own team would face a stern test in the upcoming league match, noting the importance of the Old Firm fixture for fans and the broader football community.
Looking ahead, Rangers will travel to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen in a semi‑final that promises to be a tightly contested affair. A victory would set up a potential final against either Hearts or Hibernian, who are currently drawn against each other.
The win also narrows the gap between Rangers and their league rivals to just two points, keeping the title race very much alive. Beyond the immediate sporting narrative, the match underscored the evolving dynamics of Scottish football, where strategic recruitment, tactical flexibility, and high‑intensity pressing are becoming increasingly decisive. Rangers’ ability to integrate new signings like Kelsy swiftly into the starting XI demonstrates a proactive approach to squad building, while McInnes’s willingness to experiment with formations reflects a modern managerial mindset. Overall, the 3‑0 result not only secured Rangers a place in the League Cup semi‑finals but also sent a clear message to the rest of the Scottish Premiership: under McInnes’s guidance, the club is back on a winning trajectory, ready to challenge for both domestic cups and the league title.