Derek McInnes pointed to a specific tactical vulnerability in Celtic’s defensive shape that allowed Rangers to secure a convincing 3-0 victory in the first Old Firm fixture of the campaign.
Acting captain Dan Neil stole the headlines with a pair of brilliant strikes from outside the penalty area, while Kevin Kelsy added a third during a dominant individual and team display.
Tactical Breakdown
- High-Intensity Press: Rangers adopted a bold, man-for-man pressing strategy from the opening whistle to disrupt Celtic’s rhythm.
- Targeting the Edge: The coaching staff identified the space directly outside the opposing penalty area as a major weak point.
- Sucking the Defense Deep: By utilizing direct passes and aggressive crosses, Rangers forced the Celtic backline to drop deep, naturally opening up space at the edge of the box.
- Midfield Dominance: McInnes praised the collective strength of his central unit, highlighting the stellar performances of Nico and James alongside Neil in establishing total control.
The comprehensive win propels Rangers into the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, where they are set to face Aberdeen over the weekend of October 31 and November 1.