Rangers defeat Celtic 3-0 at Ibrox to reach Scottish League Cup semi-finals
Stand-in captain Dan Neil scored twice and Kevin Kelsy added a third as Rangers defeated Celtic 3-0 in the Scottish League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.
Dominant display at Ibrox
Rangers secured a place in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals on Sunday with a 3-0 victory over Celtic at Ibrox. The fixture took place in front of 51,212 home supporters, with away fans excluded following a ticket allocation dispute and disturbances at a Scottish Cup tie last season. Rangers entered the match with six players making their Old Firm debuts in the starting lineup under manager Derek McInnes. The hosts created early opportunities, threatening in the fourth minute when Celtic goalkeeper Sam Johnstone cleared poorly, though Kevin Kelsy placed his shot wide from six yards out. In the 15th minute, Celtic defender Liam Scales cleared a goalbound effort from Kim Minsu off the line after Johnstone failed to control a corner.
Neil and Kelsy secure the victory
The opening goal arrived in the 22nd minute after Ryan Naderi and Kelsy linked up on the attack, allowing Kelsy to set up Dan Neil. Neil, captaining the team in place of the injured Lawrence Shankland, guided a low shot inside Johnstone's left post from the edge of the penalty area. Naderi had started the match despite being an injury doubt on Sunday morning with a dead leg. Celtic struggled to create chances before the interval, registering a single clear opening when Camilo Duran placed a shot wide from the left. Rangers doubled their lead in the 59th minute when Kelsy scored his first goal for the club with a near-post volley. Neil added the third in the 75th minute with a strike high into the net, before departing in the 85th minute to a standing ovation as the sponsors' man of the match.
- Kevin Kelsy shoots wide after an errant clearance from goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
- Dan Neil opens the scoring for Rangers with a low finish from the edge of the penalty box.
- Celtic replace winger Sebastian Tounekti with Haissem Hassan at half-time.
- Kevin Kelsy doubles the lead with a near-post volley.
- Dan Neil scores his second goal of the match from distance to make it 3-0.
- Dan Neil is substituted to a standing ovation from the home supporters.
Control across the pitch
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill handed starting debuts in the fixture to Johnstone, Mika Baur, Duran, and Kasper Hogh, before making changes at the interval. O'Neill substituted winger Sebastian Tounekti for Haissem Hassan after Tounekti struggled against Rangers right-back Dujon Sterling. In midfield, Neil, Nico Raskin, and James Penrice controlled possession and restricted Celtic captain Callum McGregor. In defense, Olwethu Makhanya contained Duran on the wing, while Emmanuel Fernandez limited Hogh in attack. Rangers also had a headed goal from Raskin ruled out for offside in the 61st minute. O'Neill introduced Jordan Lotomba and Shim Mheuka from the bench later in the half, but Celtic failed to register a shot on target.
Managerial reactions and upcoming fixtures
The result marked Rangers' fifth consecutive victory in all competitions following their elimination from two European qualifying tournaments earlier in the season. McInnes commended his team's execution and physical commitment after the match.
I felt the performance we gave today was the performance we required to overcome a team like Celtic.
Celtic suffered their first domestic defeat of the season. O'Neill noted that the loss needed to serve as an educational moment for his squad ahead of upcoming competitions.
I think that there has to be a realisation how big this game is.
Rangers advance to face Aberdeen in the semi-finals at Hampden next month. Celtic host Hungarian club Ferencvaros in European competition on Thursday before the two Glasgow teams meet again at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, where away fans will again be barred from attendance.
