NafisaRangers did not simply beat Celtic at Ibrox — they exposed a weakness and repeatedly attacked it until the Hoops had no answer.
Derek McInnes’ side produced one of their most impressive performances of the season in the first Old Firm derby of the campaign, overwhelming Celtic with an aggressive man-for-man press, forcing Martin O’Neill’s team backwards and making the most of the spaces that opened up around the edge of the penalty area.
The result was a convincing 3-0 victory and a huge psychological boost for Rangers.
Dan Neil was the headline-maker, scoring twice from the edge of the box while wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of Lawrence Shankland. Kevin Kelsy also got on the scoresheet with his second start for the club, but McInnes’ explanation afterwards suggested Neil’s goals were not simply a case of individual brilliance.
There was a plan behind them.
And Celtic fell directly into it.
McInnes has now revealed the area Rangers had identified before kick-off — and it was the space just outside Celtic’s penalty box.
“Obviously Dan’s going to get highlighted for his goals. His two goals were brilliant, different types of finishes,” McInnes said.
“But that space at the edge of the box, we knew we could occupy that space at times if we attacked properly and we looked after the ball. If we forced Celtic back in that space.
“We still need people to step up and show their quality. He gets the light shining on a wee bit today because of the goals. But I thought his performance was really strong as well.
“As were Nico and James in there. I thought the three of them were terrific. And it was a big part of us getting some sort of ascendancy in the game.”
That admission gives a fascinating insight into how Rangers approached the game.
Rather than simply looking to play around Celtic’s defensive block, McInnes wanted his players to push the Hoops deeper and create room in the dangerous area directly in front of the defence.
Once Celtic were forced towards their own box, that pocket of space became available.
Neil exploited it twice.
His first goal came after Rangers worked the ball into the area before finding the midfielder in a dangerous position, with the Rangers captain keeping his composure to finish into the bottom corner.
His second was even more spectacular.
Neil collected the ball around the edge of the Celtic box before producing a superb finish into the top corner, leaving Sam Johnstone with no realistic chance.
Two goals.
The same danger zone.
And one very clear message from McInnes.
Rangers had spotted something they believed they could exploit and then executed the plan with ruthless efficiency.
It was not just Neil who benefited, either.
McInnes singled out Neil, Nico Raskin and James Penrice for their contribution to Rangers gaining control of the contest, with the manager particularly pleased by the way his midfielders helped the hosts establish “ascendancy” against a Celtic side that had arrived at Ibrox with a perfect domestic record.
For O’Neill and Celtic captain Callum McGregor, that will arguably be one of the most frustrating aspects of the defeat.
Rangers were not relying on one lucky moment or a freak goal to get ahead.
They repeatedly created the conditions for Celtic’s defence to retreat, then attacked the space that retreat created.
And once Rangers had the lead, Celtic struggled to find a response.
Kelsy eventually made it 2-0 before Neil returned to the same dangerous territory to produce the moment that effectively killed the contest.
The final scoreline therefore reflected more than Rangers’ finishing.
It reflected McInnes’ tactical approach, his players’ willingness to execute it and Celtic’s inability to close down the weakness Rangers had identified.
For McInnes, there was also the satisfaction of securing a huge Old Firm victory in his first derby as Rangers boss — while simultaneously putting his team into the next round of the Premier Sports Cup.
The reward is now an official semi-final meeting with Aberdeen.
Rangers will face Stephen Robinson’s side over the weekend of October 31/November 1, with the other semi-final seeing Hearts meet Hibernian.
So after schooling Celtic at Ibrox, McInnes now has another major cup test to prepare for.
But the biggest takeaway from Sunday’s derby may be the lesson Celtic have been left with.
Rangers found the weak point.
They kept attacking it.
And Dan Neil punished it twice.
Nafisa
