Rangers defeat Celtic 3-0 at Ibrox to reach Scottish League Cup semi-finals

Dominant display at Ibrox

Rangers defeated Celtic 3-0 at Ibrox on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the Scottish League Cup, securing a semi-final tie against Aberdeen at Hampden next month. The first Old Firm derby of the season was played before a crowd of 51,212 home supporters, with away fans barred from attending by authorities following a ticket allocation dispute between the two Glasgow clubs. Derek McInnes started six players making their derby debuts, establishing early control through intense pressing. The victory represents a fifth consecutive domestic win for Rangers following early qualifying eliminations from two European tournaments. Before kickoff, Rangers supporters unveiled a tifo banner depicting a 1993 clash between Ian Ferguson and Mike Galloway, setting an aggressive tone that Celtic failed to match.

Neil and Kelsy deliver the goals

Rangers created immediate pressure as early as the fourth minute, when Celtic goalkeeper Sam Johnstone rushed a clearance and Kevin Kelsy sent a shot wide from six yards out. The hosts broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute after Cameron Carter-Vickers failed to clear a loose ball, allowing Kelsy to feed Dan Neil for a placed shot into the corner of the net. Neil, the 24-year-old midfielder captaining the team in the absence of the injured Lawrence Shankland, controlled the midfield alongside Nico Raskin and James Penrice. Kelsy made it 2-0 on the hour mark with a near-post volley from a cross, marking his first goal for Rangers on his Old Firm debut. Neil completed the scoring in the 75th minute with another precise strike from the edge of the penalty area before departing to a standing ovation with five minutes remaining.

Tactical control and Celtic struggles

Celtic rarely threatened the Rangers goal, suffering their first domestic defeat of the campaign after winning their previous domestic fixtures. Several of Martin O'Neill's summer signings struggled to cope with the physical intensity of the encounter. Winger Sebastian Tounekti was substituted at half-time after right-back Dujon Sterling contained him completely throughout the opening 45 minutes. O'Neill introduced Egypt international Haissem Hassan, who arrived from Real Oviedo in a deal worth up to £9 million, but the change failed to alter the match dynamics. Striker Kasper Hogh was isolated by Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez, while winger Camilo Duran was contained on the flank by Olwethu Makhanya.

“I thought the first half we didn't capitalise on a couple of really decent chances when we had broken their press. But on the day, just second best.”

Manager reactions and upcoming derby

O'Neill fielded four starting debutants, including Johnstone, Mika Baur, Duran, and Hogh, while later bringing on Jordan Lotomba, Hassan, and Shim Mheuka. The 74-year-old manager noted that the defeat served as a culture shock for his new players ahead of a busy schedule. Celtic face Hungarian side Ferencvaros in European competition on Thursday before the Glasgow rivals meet again on Sunday in the William Hill Premiership at Celtic Park. McInnes commended his squad for executing the game plan, noting that striker Ryan Naderi declared himself fit on Sunday morning despite carrying a dead leg, going on to assist two goals.

“I feel the performance we gave today was the performance that was required to overcome a team like Celtic. Delighted we gave a performance for so many today, I don't think we had a failure.”