Derek McInnes lauds 'terrific' Rangers trio and tells players to use Celtic reference point

Derek McInnes has stressed the need to use Rangers’ commanding 3-0 Premier Sports Cup victory over Celtic as a “reference point” for the rest of the season.

The home side were dominant throughout at Ibrox in front of over 51,000 home fans – away supporters were locked out – to seal a semi-final berth against Aberdeen at Hampden next month.

A double from man-of-the-match Dan Neil bookended an Old Firm debut goal for striker Kevin Kelsy as the hosts swept Martin O’Neill’s side away. It was a much-needed marker for Derek McInnes’ side after a challenging start to the season.

Rangers head coach Derek McInnes takes the acclaim of the fans after a 3-0 win over Celtic. | SNS Group

Momentum is now picking up after five wins on the trot. Rangers face Celtic at Parkhead next Sunday in the league with the pressure having suddenly transferred to the hosts.

“I felt the performance we gave today was the performance we required to overcome a team like Celtic,” said McInnes. “I am delighted about the performance of so many today. I don’t think we had a failure. And that is what it takes to win. It is a good reference for us going forward.

“Obviously we have to take the good from the game, and the feel-good factor,” he added. “We look forward to the semi-final when it comes round but equally we have to be ready for the next one (v Celtic).”

“You saw the strength of the club today, both on and the pitch and off it. It does my players no harm at all. For the ones who have been here, they will understand what it means to so many people. But the ones who are just in the building, it’s a good reference for them to see what this result means."

One of those new players is Neil, the stand-in skipper for the injured Lawrence Shankland. The midfielder has had to overcome doubts about his ability to play for Rangers, never mind be a leader of the team. But he firmly answered those still questioning his worth with a towering performance ornamented by a goal in each half.

Praise for Rangers skipper

“Dan will be highlighted for his goals, and his two goals were brilliant – different types of finishes," said McInnes. "We knew we could occupy that space on the edge of the box at times and if we attacked properly and looked after the ball and forced Celtic back, then that space might develop.

“You still need people to step up and show that quality. Dan did exactly that. He gets the light shone on him today because of the goals. But his performance was really strong as well, as was Nico (Raskin) and wee James (Penrice). The three of them were terrific. They played a big part in us getting some sort of ascendancy in the game.”

McInnes acknowledged the upgrade in performance compared to the defeat against Jablonec in a Conference League play-off qualifying tie just two-and-a-half weeks ago, the nadir of his short and at times challenging managerial reign so far.

“It is the one defeat we have had in the last eight games,” he pointed out. “It was a sore one. The performance that night was in complete contras to today. It was a big game for us as a club and to deliver such a lacklustre performance....(it was) a performance I didn’t want to put my name to, but I had to. I had to deal with it. I knew the consequences.

“To be honest, we did not look ready. Even though we were getting a couple of wins here and there, we did not look ready. We should have been. There is a shared responsibility but the majority lands on me.

“The performance today was exactly what was required," he continued. "We have come quite a long way since that game you mentioned. But you also see the magic ingredient of confidence in the players, just winning games. The criticism will come again if we don’t win again next Sunday. But for a young team, I think it is important to take the good from the game and try and use it. We look as if we are up and running now and hopefully we can get improvements.”

The manager’s thoughts were already straying towards next weekend’s return match at Parkhead, Rangers’ next game due to being eliminated from Europe. “Obviously we will analyse this game,” he said. “Likewise, Celtic might come up with something different as well. So I think we take each game separately.

“Sometimes tactics can be overplayed and sometimes can be looked at too much to deliver a winning performance. What normally wins games is individual performances and individual moments more than tactics. And what we had today was big performances. It would be more of that we are hoping to replicate, big performances, regardless of how we set up.”