Rangers confirmed their dominance in the Scottish League Cup with a convincing 3-0 triumph over fierce rivals Celtic, marking manager Derek McInnes's first Old Firm victory since taking the helm. The win, achieved at a packed Ibrox Stadium that was notably devoid of travelling Celtic fans, propelled the Glasgow side into the competition's semi‑finals where they will meet Aberdeen on the weekend of October 31 and November 1.
The match opened with Rangers imposing a relentless, man‑for‑man press that left Celtic floundering and unable to generate clear-cut chances. Early on, both Kevin Kelsy, the £9.2 million deadline‑day signing making his Old Firm debut, and fellow newcomer Minsu Kim squandered promising opportunities, but the pressure soon paid off. In the 23rd minute, captain Dan Neil, acting as a stand‑in skipper, calmly slotted a low‑driven shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area after a well‑timed run and a swift one‑two with the forward duo of Ryan Naderi and Kelsy.
The goal broke the deadlock and set the tone for the rest of the encounter. Kelsy, the Venezuelan international, added his own contribution before the interval. After a flick‑on from Naderi that found him at the far post, he volleyed the ball home, marking his first goal for Rangers and extending the lead to 2‑0.
The Venezuelan's finish demonstrated his growing confidence and underscored the successful integration of the new signing into McInnes's attacking framework. The third strike arrived with fifteen minutes remaining. Neil, having already celebrated his first goal, once again found space on the right side of the box and unleashed a curling effort that flew into the top corner, sealing a 3‑0 victory and completing his brace for the afternoon.
Beyond the goals, the match featured several notable moments that highlighted Rangers' tactical discipline. At the 4‑minute mark, a mis‑clearance by Celtic defender Johnstone was intercepted by Kelsy, who saw the goalkeeper off his line and attempted a low drive that narrowly missed the target. Later, at 16 minutes, Johnstone again mishandled a ball, allowing Minsu Kim to unleash a shot that was ultimately cleared off the line by Celtic keeper Scales. The hosts continued to press, and at 23 minutes Kelsy's precise pass found Neil, who capitalised with the opening goal.
The second half saw Celtic's goalkeeper Johnstone produce a series of saves, notably at 49 minutes when he tipped away a dangerous effort from Kim, and at 50 minutes when he denied a close‑range header from Naderi. However, Rangers' persistence paid off at 59 minutes when Kelsy, redeeming his earlier miss, powered a Penrice cross into the net for his inaugural Rangers goal. A brief controversy followed at 64 minutes when an offside call nullified a potential Celtic equaliser, further cementing Rangers' control of the game.
The final goal, recorded at 76 minutes, saw Neil strike once more, this time curling the ball into the top corner to make the scoreline 3‑0 and effectively seal the tie. Post‑match analysis from Sky Sports' Adam Binnie highlighted McInnes's strategic adjustments. By deploying left‑back James Penrice in a more advanced midfield role, Rangers were able to flood the centre of the pitch, facilitating a high‑press system that left Celtic's forwards isolated.
Wing‑backs Djeidi Gassama and Minsu Kim provided width and relentless energy, while a compact trio of Dujon Sterling, Emmanuel Fernandez and Olwethu Makhanya defended in a three‑versus‑three configuration against Celtic's attacking line. This bold tactical shift forced Celtic to crumble under sustained pressure, with their midfield maestro Callum McGregor left without a defensive partner and unable to influence the game effectively.
Looking ahead, Rangers must now prepare for a challenging semi‑final trip to Aberdeen, a match that will be played without the benefit of travelling support. McInnes expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "I'm delighted with how the players executed the plan. We didn't have any major lapses and that’s the benchmark we need moving forward." He also emphasised the importance of maintaining the momentum while staying focused on upcoming league fixtures.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, on the other hand, admitted disappointment, noting that his side failed to capitalise on the few chances they created in the first half and describing the defeat as a wake‑up call. He praised Rangers' physicality and hinted at a fierce contest in the upcoming league clash.
Overall, the 3‑0 victory not only secured Rangers a place in the League Cup semi‑finals but also sent a clear message to the rest of the Scottish football landscape: under McInnes's guidance, the team is capable of executing a high‑press, possession‑based strategy that can dismantle even the most storied opponents. The win also provides a morale boost ahead of a crucial period in the Premiership race, where the gap between the top clubs remains razor‑thin.