Neil drives Rangers in Old Firm rout
Rangers beat Celtic 3‑0 in the first 'Old Firm' of the season, played this Sunday at Ibrox Park, and qualified for the Scottish League Cup semi‑finals thanks to Daniel Neil's brace and his dominant performance.
Neil leads the rout
The first goal came in the 20th minute, when Kevin Kelsy, one of the major summer signings, delivered a pass that Daniel Neil met head‑on to beat the opposing goalkeeper. The striker, newly arrived in Glasgow from Ipswich Town, showed the speed that manager Derek McInnes had sought.
After the break, the Venezuelan widened the lead by volleying a header from Nederi. With fifteen minutes left, Neil struck again with a powerful shot to the corner, sealing the final 3‑0.
With the win, Rangers qualified for the Scottish League Cup semi‑finals, while Celtic, who lost the final to St. Mirren last season, will endure a second consecutive year without lifting the trophy. The result leaves Celtic out of the competition and reinforces the position of Rangers as a title contender.
Daniel Neil, who joined the club from Ipswich Town, has been decisive on his debut, scoring the two goals that defined the match. His arrival in Glasgow came during the same transfer window that saw the team reinforced with several international players.
Signings that make the difference
Kevin Kelsy, signed this summer, arrived after a payment of over ten million euros to the Portland Timbers, becoming one of the most notable investments of Rangers. His presence in attack has been crucial, as demonstrated by the pass that opened the scoring against Celtic.
The Protestant side is managed by Derek McInnes, who has maintained a balanced lineup that combines experience and newly arrived talent. The manager's strategy has allowed Rangers to control much of the game at Ibrox Park.
According to Steve Welsh of the Ap-LaPresse Barcelona agency, manager Arteta showed his fury after Celtic's elimination, stating: "This is unacceptable at this level". Bruno Guimarães' celebration, which angered all of Sunderland, was also highlighted in the match coverage.
Rangers aim to lift the League Cup, a title they last won in 2024, and seek to consolidate their dominance in Scottish competition. The next challenge will be the semi‑final, where they will try to maintain the advantage shown in the 'Old Firm'.