Rangers dismantle Celtic in dominant Old Firm victory under McInnes

Rangers delivered a commanding performance to secure their place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, thrashing rivals Celtic with a result that has significantly shifted the narrative ahead of this weekend’s league showdown.

From the outset, the match resembled a training ground drill for Rangers rather than a high-stakes Old Firm encounter. Derek McInnes, seeking a definitive statement in his early tenure, found exactly what he needed. His side exhibited complete dominance in every statistical and physical category, leaving Celtic co-managers Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney looking bewildered on the touchline.

The simplicity of the progression to the semi-final was almost surreal given the form of both sides coming in. While both clubs had been winning their recent domestic fixtures, they had rarely been convincing. Bookmakers had anticipated a tightly contested affair, possibly extending to extra time or penalties, but Rangers made a mockery of those expectations with a 3-0 lead that felt deserved well before the final whistle.

Rangers fielded six players making their Old Firm debuts, yet their inexperience was nowhere to be seen. They met the intensity of the fixture with gusto, neutralizing a Celtic side that typically relies on the leadership of captain Callum McGregor. Instead, it was Dan Neil who controlled the midfield engine room, contributing two outstanding goals alongside Nico Raskin and James Penrice, who stifled Celtic’s creative outlets.

Celtic’s attackers were rendered impotent. Camilo Duran, one of the season’s standout performers, was entirely nullified by Olwethu Makhanya, while record signing Kasper Hogh struggled to find service against Emmanuel Fernandez. The visitors could not even muster a response when Rangers extended their lead; there was no storm to weather, just sustained authority from start to finish.

The opening goal served as a microcosm of the game. Ryan Naderi, often criticized for lacking Rangers class, was a thorn in Celtic’s side, combining with Kevin Kelsy to set up the opener. Kelsy then doubled the lead with a volley, and Neil completed the scoring with a delightful strike, capping a performance defined by confidence and uninhibited play.

The victory provides Rangers with crucial momentum and self-belief as they head into Sunday’s league match at Celtic Park. With 60,000 fans expected to demand retribution, McInnes faces significant scrutiny, having already endured vitriolic songs from the Ibrox crowd. However, the manager remained measured post-match, aware that while one win does not secure trophies, it establishes a standard that could prove pivotal in the title race.