Rangers Find Their Groove While Celtic Spiral: McInnes Builds Something Special at Ibrox

Rangers manager Derek McInnes has orchestrated a dramatic turnaround in form, securing back-to-back victories against Celtic—a feat not achieved by any Rangers boss since Graeme Souness in 1986. Yet despite the historic significance, McInnes kept his emotions in check, focusing instead on the incremental progress: three points and nothing more. His measured response belies the scale of what he has accomplished in transforming a team he once described as lacking identity, cohesion and style into a side that looks organised, purposeful and increasingly dangerous.

The latest Old Firm clash showcased a Rangers side that controlled proceedings with a maturity that contradicts their youth. Despite winning by a single goal, Rangers' dominance was so pronounced that the narrow scoreline understated their superiority. They were stronger in possession, more physical in contest and sharper in execution—outplaying, out-muscling and out-coaching a Celtic team that looked bereft of answers.

Celtic's Mounting Crisis

Martin O'Neill's Celtic face a gathering storm. The Scottish champions have now suffered four poor results in a month, including a devastating 5-1 Champions League collapse against LASK that appears to have stripped the squad of confidence and cohesion. Beyond the results, the underlying issues are structural and tactical.

Celtic's squad lacks the robustness in midfield that the board promised to deliver. Their winger options have deteriorated significantly, with key players like Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada departed and others unavailable. In Yang Hyun-jun's continued absence, 35-year-old James Forrest is effectively their best attacking option—a stark indictment of the transfer strategy. McCowan's inclusion in the starting lineup proved ineffective, while goalkeeper Sam Johnstone's selection backfired. These decisions suggest O'Neill's renowned problem-solving instincts are currently misfiring.

The manager faces pressure from supporters questioning whether he possesses the answers to reverse Celtic's trajectory. His team appears physically weak and mentally substandard—a far cry from their early-season promise.

McInnes Has Built Something Tangible

Weeks ago, McInnes identified Rangers as lacking a cohesive identity. They possessed no discernible style, no pressing system, and lacked the experience to function as a unified unit. That assessment has proven prophetic, yet it also highlighted what needed fixing. His work since has been transformative.

The Rangers starting eleven averaged just 24.4 years old compared to Celtic's 26.7—yet this youthful squad displays a maturity and togetherness that belies their youth. Olwethu Makhanya, at 22, has been the most dominant defender across both matches, whilst Ryan Naderi, just 23, leads Rangers' attacking intensity week after week. Midfielders Dan Neil and Nico Raskin, aged 24 and 25 respectively, have become hugely influential, with Neil's development as captain particularly notable. McInnes has somehow extracted maximum organisation and discipline from players who were once fragmented.

What This Means for Scottish Football

The contrast between Rangers' upward trajectory and Celtic's downward spiral could not be starker. McInnes has created a Rangers team with identity and purpose—young, hungry and increasingly battle-hardened by victories in the most high-pressure fixtures. Celtic, conversely, look jaded and lacking gumption.

The broader picture extends beyond individual matches. Celtic's board has failed to adequately strengthen the squad. Their coaching structure requires examination. Most critically, O'Neill—an iconic figure at the club—must now prove whether he retains the tactical acumen and motivational capacity to reverse this decline. His immediate challenge is to reassess his approach and find answers to mounting problems that worsen with each passing fixture.

For Rangers supporters and neutral observers, McInnes' work represents smart, purposeful management. He has identified weaknesses, implemented structure and extracted excellence from young talent. Whether Celtic can reverse course under O'Neill remains the pressing question haunting Celtic Park.