Rangers secure 3-0 victory over Celtic in Scottish League Cup quarter-finals

Rangers triumphed over Celtic with a convincing 3-0 victory in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals, marking Derek McInnes' first Old Firm win as manager. The match took place at Ibrox Stadium, where captain Dan Neil scored twice, and Kevin Kelsy found the net on his debut. The absence of away fans did not dampen the home crowd's enthusiasm as Rangers dominated their rivals throughout the match.

Celtic struggled to cope with Rangers' aggressive pressing style, failing to create significant scoring opportunities. The first goal came in the 23rd minute when Neil slotted the ball into the bottom corner after a well-executed team move. Kelsy, who had missed earlier chances, made amends by scoring in the second half, volleying in a flick-on from Ryan Naderi to double the lead.

Neil capped off his performance with a stunning curling effort into the top corner, sealing the win for Rangers with 15 minutes remaining. The hosts' tactical approach, including using James Penrice as an auxiliary midfielder, proved effective against a Celtic side that appeared disjointed and unable to respond to the pressure.

McInnes expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, highlighting the importance of the victory for both players and supporters. He acknowledged the need to maintain focus as Rangers prepare for their upcoming fixtures, including a Scottish Premiership match against Celtic without travelling support next Sunday. Meanwhile, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill reflected on his side's shortcomings and the need for improvement ahead of their next matches.

via Sky Sports