Rangers swept into the Scottish League Cup semi-finals as Dan Neil’s double inspired a 3-0 win over arch-rivals Celtic on Sunday.
Neil put Rangers ahead with a clinical finish from the edge of the area in the 22nd minute at Ibrox.
With no Celtic fans in attendance at the order of the authorities amid a ticket allocation spat between the Glasgow clubs, the whole stadium exploded in celebration of the midfielder’s first goal since his close-season move from Sunderland.
Rangers’ new striker Kevin Kelsy also got his maiden goal for the club when he fired home to double the lead in the 59th minute.
Neil added Rangers’ third with another fine finish in the 75th minute to settle a surprisingly one-sided quarter-final.
Rangers boss Derek McInnes was able to enjoy his first Old Firm derby success after arriving from Hearts to take charge in the summer.
McInnes’s men have won their last five games in all competitions to erase the frustration of their slow start to the season.
“It was the performance and result we were all looking for. The game demanded a big performance, and I thought we delivered on that,” McInnes said.
“I love the togetherness. I need to have this team who cares for each other, has love for each other.
“When things aren’t going well, you sometimes see the true strength. We’ve had some soul-searching and tough times the past few weeks.
“It’s a good reference point for my players. They’re a young squad, and they saw how much that result means to the supporters.”
It was a first domestic defeat of the season for Scottish champions Celtic, who rarely threatened the Rangers goal.
Martin O’Neill’s team will not have long to wait for revenge as the two sides meet at Celtic in the Scottish Premiership next Sunday, with visiting fans again banned.
“We were well beaten. The 3-0 scoreline doesn’t hide it; it was a tough afternoon for us,” O’Neill said.
“We were well in the game early on, even at half-time, but they were stronger than us on the day, and they deserved to win.
“Next Sunday will be a different ball game when we’ve got the home crowd with us. We can learn from this, and that’s the most important thing. We need to.”
Rangers were pitted against Aberdeen in the semi-final draw, while Hearts will face Edinburgh rivals Hibernian.
The ties will be played at Hampden Park on the weekend of October 31 and November 1.
Hearts beat Stenhousemuir 3-0 on Friday, Hibernian defeated Ross County 3-0, and Aberdeen won 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock on Saturday.
AFP
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