Derek McInnes marked his tenure at Rangers with a commanding 3-0 victory over Celtic in the first Old Firm clash of the season, played before 51,212 supporters at Ibrox. The Scottish League Cup encounter showcased a side characterized by relentless physical effort and high-intensity pressing, securing a convincing win against Martin O’Neill’s team.
Rangers captain Dan Neil opened and closed the scoring with two goals, while Kevin Kelsy added a second-half strike to seal the triumph. Despite some uneven moments in their play, McInnes’ team imposed their will from the outset, generating sustained pressure and capitalizing on Celtic’s vulnerabilities.
McInnes praised his players’ focus and resolved, stating that the performance met the demands of a fixture steeped in significance for both clubs. “I’m delighted. The performance we gave today was the one required to overcome a team like Celtic,” he said, underscoring the importance of understanding the Old Firm’s unique intensity.
Celtic’s performance was hampered by early mistakes and a red card, which left them reduced in numbers and unable to recover. The former England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, appearing for Celtic, was unsettled early on, and despite some efforts, could not prevent Rangers’ opening goal in the 22nd minute following sustained pressure and a breakdown in Celtic’s counterattack.
O’Neill lamented the outcome, acknowledging the need for greater awareness of the fixture’s magnitude. “We were well beaten in the end, on the day we were second best,” he said. “There has to be a realisation how big this game is, it’s still one of the great fixtures in European football if not the world. We’ve got to know that. We have to learn from it. Hopefully it’s a wake-up call.”
Celtic’s attempts to gain control faltered, particularly after the introduction of high-profile signing Kasper Høgh in the 65th minute, who struggled to influence the match from a forward position. The visitors were effectively held off the ball for much of the second half, unable to mount a sustained challenge.
Looking ahead, Rangers will meet Aberdeen in the semi-finals of the League Cup. Despite the emphatic victory, McInnes was reluctant to dwell on his side’s early-season struggles, responding to questions on the matter with humor. The Rangers manager’s optimism is likely to be buoyed by the upcoming rematch against Celtic at Celtic Park next weekend, setting the stage for another intense Old Firm showdown.