Derek McInnes sent Ibrox into celebration as Rangers controlled Celtic in front of an entirely blue home crowd and claimed victory in the season’s opening Old Firm meeting.
With energetic music filling the stadium, the Rangers support celebrated three excellent goals in a commanding triumph. Captain Dan Neil scored twice, with Kevin Kelsy adding another after the interval, as Martin O’Neill’s team were beaten comfortably. The performance also offered an early glimpse of the identity McInnes is developing: relentless effort, physical strength and constant running. Although the football was not always polished, the determination thrilled the 51,212 home supporters and delivered a powerful statement for the campaign ahead.
Away supporters were barred from Old Firm matches this season following the pitch invasion after last term’s Scottish Cup encounter, ensuring a heavily one-sided atmosphere. Before kick-off, Graeme Souness flags and boiled sweets were selling quickly. Inside Ibrox, the Union Bears displayed a tifo recalling the 1993 confrontation in which Rangers midfielder Ian Ferguson seized Celtic’s Mike Galloway by the collar. The banner established a suitably combative mood for the contest that followed.
Rangers started with an intensity Celtic could not match, while several visiting players appeared unsettled by the occasion. Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was among them, and his rushed clearance nearly gifted Rangers a goal in the fourth minute, but Kelsy fired wide from only six yards. Johnstone then failed to deal convincingly with a corner in the 15th minute, forcing Liam Scales to divert Kim Min-Su’s follow-up attempt behind. Rangers eventually moved ahead seven minutes later.
The opening goal developed after Kasper Høgh struggled to control a long pass during a counterattack and chose the wrong option as Celtic advanced towards the Rangers penalty area. The hosts quickly reversed the direction of play with a long delivery into Celtic territory, where Cameron Carter-Vickers failed to clear effectively. Kelsy collected the loose ball and passed to Neil, who had arrived on a free transfer from Sunderland during the summer. The captain calmly guided a superb finish just inside Johnstone’s left post.
O’Neill altered his side at the break, withdrawing the ineffective Sebastian Tounekti and introducing Egypt international Haissem Hassan. The substitution made little difference as Rangers increasingly took command. Kim saw a long-range strike pushed behind in the 49th minute before Johnstone denied him again less than 10 minutes later. A second goal seemed certain, and it arrived when Ryan Naderi redirected James Penrice’s free-kick towards the far post, allowing Kelsy to steer the ball around the goalkeeper and inside the left upright.
The goal stood following a prolonged VAR review for a possible offside. Rangers appeared to score again soon afterwards, but Nicolas Raskin was ruled offside. With 15 minutes remaining, Neil settled the result himself, controlling a loose ball near the edge of Celtic’s penalty area before curling a fine strike into the top corner and sparking wild celebrations in the Copland Stand.
O’Neill may have been relieved that Celtic supporters were unable to attend. His team initially played with a composure that appeared to indicate confidence, but it ultimately looked more like hesitation. Celtic barely managed to retain possession during the second half, while expensive signing Høgh seemed isolated and ineffective at the head of the attack before being replaced in the 65th minute. McInnes may hope Rangers can continue to draw on the same fierce competitive spirit throughout the season.
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