Rangers booked their place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals with a dominant win over Celtic at a raucous Ibrox, as captain Dan Neil scored twice either side of half-time to sink their Glasgow rivals.
Neil put the hosts ahead on 23 minutes with a side-footed finish after good work from Ryan Naderi and Kevin Kelsy. Kelsy then swept home in the second half to make it two, before Neil capped an impeccable midfield display with a curling effort from long range just before the hour mark to put the result beyond doubt.
The win sends Rangers through to face Aberdeen at Hampden Park in the last four of the competition, which is sponsored by Premier Sports and is one of Scottish football's three major domestic trophies.
The scoreline was no more than Rangers deserved on the day, with manager Derek McInnes finally landing the statement win he had been chasing after a difficult start to his time in charge. It was the fifth domestic victory in a row for the former Hearts boss, whose side now travel to Celtic Park next Sunday.
Neil inspires dominant Rangers display
Neil was the outstanding performer of the afternoon, delivering what was described as a dream Old Firm debut for the captain with two goals of the highest quality. Dujon Sterling also impressed at right-back, giving Sebastian Tounekti no room to operate in a dominant first period while getting forward at every opportunity.
Emmanuel Fernandez had a goal ruled out and missed a good chance moments later, but was otherwise composed at the back, while Olwethu Makhanya won every duel against his direct opponent and looked assured playing out from defence. James Penrice tucked into midfield to nullify Benjamin Nygren, and his set-piece delivery stood out.
Naderi's physical approach caused problems throughout for the Celtic centre-backs, and he was credited with bullying Cameron Carter-Vickers in the build-up to the opening goal. Kelsy struggled after an early let-off from goalkeeper Sam Johnstone's mistake but recovered to net an instinctive finish that gave Rangers breathing room. Nicolas Raskin also put in a heavy shift in midfield.
McInnes was rated the best he has looked since taking charge, with his side described as streets ahead of their opponents in every department.
Nightmare afternoon for Celtic
It was a chastening day for Martin O'Neill's Celtic side from the opening minutes. Johnstone's poor early pass straight to Kelsy set the tone, and the goalkeeper was said to look nervous throughout. Colby Donovan struggled after picking up a first-half booking and could not get close to Djeidi Gassama all afternoon, while Carter-Vickers never looked comfortable after being outmuscled for the opener.
Liam Scales did produce a stunning goal-line clearance to deny Kim Min-su in the first half, though a weak clearance from him later teed up Neil's clinching goal. Kieran Tierney was barely involved going forward and was left exposed as Kelsy scored unmarked.
In midfield, Mika Baur and captain Callum McGregor were both said to have had little influence as their side fell apart, while Nygren, so often Celtic's man for the big occasion, was described as anonymous and loose in possession. Camilo Duran started brightly and went close from a promising position but faded as the game went on. Tounekti, preferred to Haissem Hassan, offered nothing down the left and was hooked at half-time, while Kasper Hogh received little service and struggled with his general play. O'Neill, who has experienced difficult Old Firm days before, was said to rank this among the worst.
Substitutes, bookings and referee
Rangers made five second-half changes: Godfrey replaced Naderi in the 74th minute, Bouanani came on for Min-su at the same time, Curtis took over from Gassama on 85 minutes, Dragojevic replaced Neil a minute later, and Miovski came on for Kelsy in the 87th minute. Makhanya and Penrice were booked for Rangers.
Celtic sent on Hassan for Tounekti at half-time, followed by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Hogh and James Forrest for Nygren, both in the 64th minute, then Mhueka for Duran on 77 minutes and Lotomba for Tierney on 80 minutes. Nygren, Donovan and Hassan were booked. Nick Walsh was the referee.
Rangers' win sets up a Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Aberdeen at Hampden Park, while Rangers and Celtic meet again in the league at Celtic Park next Sunday.
