5 days ago
16
Rangers booked their spot in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals after putting in a dominant display to see off their Glasgow rivals at a raucous Ibrox.
Captain Dan Neil put the hosts in front on 23 minutes with an excellent side-footed finish after good work from Ryan Naderi and Kevin Kelsy, with Kelsy then sweeping home in second half to open up a two-goal lead.
Neil capped an impeccable performance in midfield with a curling effort from long range just before the hour mark to seal the deal and set up a showdown against Aberdeen at Hampden.
The result was no more than Rangers deserved, as manager Derek McInnes finally got the statement win he has been craving from his side after a tricky start.
That's now five domestic victories on the bounce for the former Hearts boss, with a trip to Celtic Park coming up next Sunday.
Here's how both teams rated this afternoon...
Rangers captain Dan Neil netted two stunning goals either side of half-time to down Celtic
RANGERS (4-4-2)
Ivor Pandur 6 - Won't have a quieter game all season. Sharp off his line a couple times to deal with balls over the top, but no saves required.
Dujon Sterling 7.5 - Didn't give Tounekti a sniff in a dominant first period, and tried to get forward at every opportunity.
Emmanuel Fernandez 7 - Classy display from the much-maligned defender. Had a goal ruled out but missed a sitter moments later.
Olwethu Makhanya 7 - Won every single duel against Hogh, and was so assured when playing out from the back. Impressive.
James Penrice 7- Drifted into midfield to keep the shackles on Nygren, and did the job with minimal fuss. Set-piece delivery was outstanding.
Kim Min-su 6.5 - Not quite at his electric best, but linked the play well. Denied by Johnstone from close range in the second half.
Nicolas Raskin 7- Put in a power of work in the engine room and was neat and tidy on the ball. McInnes will be thrilled he's still at Ibrox.
Kevin Kelsy opened his account for his new club with a well-taken strike in the second half
Dan Neil 9 - A dream Old Firm debut for the captain to really kickstart his Rangers career. Delivered two goals of the highest order.
Djeidi Gassama 6.5 - Had the beating of Donovan from the first minute. Final ball wasn't the best, but he was a constant threat.
Ryan Naderi 7 - Physicality caused all sorts of trouble for Celtic centre-halves. Bullied Carter-Vickers in build-up to the opening goal.
Kevin Kelsy 7 - Fluffed his lines after Johnstone's early error, but then produced an instinctive finish to give his side some breathing room in the second half.
Manager: Derek McInnes 8 - The best performance under his stewardship by quite some distance. His team were streets ahead of their opponents on every level.
Substitutes: Godfrey (Naderi 74), Bouanani (Min-su 74), Curtis (Gassama 85), Dragojevic (Neil 86), Miovski (Kelsy 87).
Booked: Makhanya, Penrice.
Rangers boss Derek McInnes couldn't have asked for a better performance from his players
CELTIC (4-3-3)
Sam Johnstone 3 - Dreadful pass straight to Kelsy early on set the tone for his side. A bag of nerves from start to finish.
Colby Donovan 4 - Left walking a tightrope after first-half booking, and it showed. Simply didn't get close to Gassama all day.
Cameron Carter-Vickers 4 - Outmuscled by Naderi for the opener, and just didn't look comfortable at any stage.
Liam Scales 5 - Denied a certain Min-su goal with a stunning clearance off the line on 15 minutes. Weak clearance teed up Neil for clincher.
Kieran Tierney 4 - Barely involved as an attacking outlet and wasn't much better at the other end. Left Kelsy all alone to lash home.
Mika Baur 3 - Game passed him by in midfield. Didn't get on the ball often enough and when he did, he played safe. Jury is still out.
Callum McGregor 3- Like Baur, the skipper didn't have any influence on proceedings as his side crumbled. Looked devoid of ideas and energy.
Benjamin Nygren 3 - So often Celtic's man for the big occasion, but he was anonymous here. Loose in possession throughout.
Camilo Duran 4 - Started brightly and went close from a decent position inside the Rangers box, but faded badly as the game wore on.
Sebastian Tounekti 2 - Given the nod ahead of Haissem Hassan, but offered absolutely nothing on the left. No surprise to see him hooked at the break.
Kasper Hogh 3 - Questions rightly being asked over his form. He got little service in the box, but his general play outside it was so poor.
Manager: Martin O'Neill 3 - The Northern Irishman has experienced his fair share of Old Firm shockers over the years. This one was right up there.
Substitutes: Hassan (Tounekti 46), Oxlade-Chamberlain (Hogh 64), Forrest (Nygren 64), Mhueka (Duran 77), Lotomba (Tierney 80).
Booked: Nygren, Donovan, Hassan.
Referee: Nick Walsh.
