Celtic captain Callum McGregor has demanded a swift response after Derek McInnes guided Rangers to a 3-0 Scottish League Cup quarter-final victory at Ibrox.
Dan Neil struck twice and Kevin Kelsy added a third to eliminate Martin O’Neill’s side on Sunday. The result highlighted a sharp contrast between Rangers’ organised structure and the visitors’ fragmented display.
Speaking to STV News, McGregor stated: “The difference between the two sides was you seen a team and then you seen a team of individuals as well.”
McInnes Prepares For Celtic Park Test
Rangers executed a ruthless pressing scheme that completely overwhelmed the Scottish Premiership champions. McInnes now takes his squad across the city for a league encounter on 20 September.
Kelsy is expected to continue leading the line as McInnes navigates an attacking dilemma following injuries to Youssef Ramalho Chermiti and Lawrence Shankland. The Rangers manager has little time to solve his attacking absences before the derby return.
Defender Olwethu Makhanya anchored the backline effectively, earning praise from former Rangers captain Richard Gough. Gough commended the South African’s display to the Daily Record but warned the upcoming away trip would be a “Difficult place to keep your cool.”
Celtic must correct their structural flaws before Sunday. McGregor labelled the cup exit “unacceptable” as the Ibrox side secured a semi-final tie against Aberdeen.
