Rangers claimed first blood in this week’s Old Firm double header as they delivered a major blow to Martin O’Neill’s Hoops, with Dan Neil’s brilliant brace sending the Ibrox men to the Premier Sports Cup semi-final
Brilliant Rangers claimed first blood in this week’s Old Firm double header as they delivered a major blow to Martin O’Neill’s Hoops.
Dan Neil produced a stunning display of finishing as his brilliant brace sent the Ibrox men marching towards Hampden for the Premier Sports Cup semi-final – where they’ll face Aberdeen.
The former Sunderland skipper was one of six derby debutants in the Rangers starting line-up and another, new Venezuelan hitman Kevin Kelsy, got in the act too as he swept home the crucial second.
Here Reach Sport takes a look at how the Light Blues players rated…
Rangers player ratings
IVOR PANDUR: Croatian keeper had a couple of tame efforts into his body to deal in terms of shot-stopping but not much more on his derby debut. Sight of him being sharp off his line and taking a couple of dangerous looking crosses was a source of major reassurance for McInnes’ men. 7
DUJON STERLING: A solid showing and off the ball. Didn’t give Sebastian Tounekti a sniff before the before the Tunisian got the half-time hook. Won a big challenge on Camilo Duran after the break as the Colombian switched flanks. 7
MANNY FERNANDEZ: Giant centre-back has had an error-strewn start to the season and there were a couple of hairy moments in the first half. Sharpened up though and completely dominated Celt’s anonymous £11million man Kasper Hogh. Preserved the clean sheet with last-minute clearance off the lone. 7
OLWETHU MAKHANYA: Gers’ new South African has been a stabilising figure at the back and completely strolled this one too. Left with a tough job dealing with Duran all on his own in the first half as Penrice went inside to deal with Nygren but it was no bother at all for the classy centre-back. Booked for clattering Celtic sub Haissem Hassan just after the break. 8
JAMES PENRICE: Asked to do a man-marking job on Benjamin Nygren, even if meant the left-back had to follow the Dane across the park. Required a huge effort to cover the ground but had the energy left to deliver the cross which led the Gers’ killer second. 8
MINSU KIM: Started on the right hand side but with licence to drift into the central channels. So close to the opener as his volleys from Johnstone’s flap was blocked on the line by Liam Scales. Had two other efforts saved by the keeper. 7
NICO RASKIN: Partnership with Neil is growing in strength by the week. Had to bail out Englishman early doors, though, when he got back top halt a Hoops breakaway. Kept Gers moving as they applied the pressure in the build up to No2. Thought he’d got in on the scoring act until an offside flag cut short the celebrations. 7
DAN NEIL: It’s only a few weeks since Rangers fans were questioning why McInnes had bothered signing the ex-Sunderland skipper – but he’s got them all on board now. Sparked a noisy groan when he lost possession in a key area early on. But quickly had the punters roaring with two stunning finishes. 9
DJEIDI GASSAMA: In decent form this season but has struggled to convert that into firm numbers. Wiped out by Colby Donovan as the young Hoops defender earned a booking. Followed that up by ruining a good moment running the ball out of play. Remains a frustrating Ibrox enigma. 7
RYAN NADERI: Got the nod to start on account of his work off the ball. And he more than justified his manager’s faith with a huge shift and magnificent display. Had a hand in both goals, pinching possession from Cameron Carter-Vickers in the build up to the opener before flicking on for his strike-partner to score. 8
KEVIN KELSY: The £9million man looked to have wasted a huge chance to start repaying his massive fee when he dragged wide from Sam Johnstone’s mishit pass. But had a big role in Rangers taking the lead as he picked out Neil on the edge of the box before slamming home his first goal for the club with a kiss on off Johnstone’s near post. 8
Substitutes
BEN GODFREY (on for Naderi, 74): Big header late on as Celtic chased a consolation effort. 3
BADREDINE BOUANANI (on for Kim, 74): Provided some fresh legs in the final stage as Gers eased their way through to Hampden. 3
FINDLAY CURTIS (on for Gassama, 85): Close to adding a fourth as he forced Johnstone into a save. Dug in to ensure Celtic didn’t pull one back at the death. 4
VANJA DRAGOJEVIC (on for Neil, 85): Added some energy for the hosts after a huge shift from the starters. 3
BOJAN MIOVSKI (on for Kelsy, 87): No time to repeat his midweek heroics. 2


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