Rangers produced one of the most emphatic Old Firm performances in recent memory, thrashing Celtic 3-0 at Ibrox to reach the semi-finals of the Premier Sports Cup, and in the process handed Derek McInnes the defining result of his young tenure.
What had been widely expected to be a tense, cagey affair between two sides who had struggled to convince domestically despite winning runs turned instead into a one-sided exhibition. Rangers dominated every phase of the contest from start to finish, leaving Celtic manager Martin O'Neill and his assistant Shaun Maloney visibly bewildered on the touchline as their side was outclassed in every department.
The hosts, fielding six players making their Old Firm debuts, showed no signs of inexperience as they pressed and harried Celtic relentlessly. The tone was set early when goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, under pressure from the Rangers press, played a loose clearance straight to new signing Kevin Kelsy, who could not convert the chance in the fourth minute.
Rangers did not have to wait long to make the breakthrough. Ryan Naderi dispossessed Cameron Carter-Vickers before setting up Kelsy, who found Dan Neil for a superb finish to open the scoring. Neil was the standout performer in midfield, overshadowing Celtic captain Callum McGregor and combining brilliantly with Nico Raskin to control the centre of the pitch throughout, with James Penrice also influential.
Rangers doubled their advantage when Penrice's cross was flicked on by Naderi for Kelsy to smash home a volley. The rout was completed by another fine goal from Neil, his second of the afternoon and Rangers' third overall, capping off a display of confident, expansive football.
Celtic's attacking threats were nullified almost entirely. Camilo Duran, deployed wide and previously one of the club's most productive players this season, was kept quiet by Olwethu Makhanya, while record signing Kasper Hogh - who had scored a hat-trick in his previous appearance - found no space or service as he was closely marked by Emmanuel Fernandez throughout the match.
The scale of Rangers' superiority was notable given that both sides had entered the fixture on winning runs, though neither had been especially convincing, with tight, low-scoring results in their recent domestic outings. Few had anticipated such a one-sided contest, and Celtic were never given the opportunity to respond, hampered both by their own struggles in possession and Rangers' refusal to allow them any rhythm.
Despite the dominant scoreline, McInnes remained composed when discussing the result afterwards, mindful that the win alone secured nothing tangible beyond a place in the last four, where Rangers will now be strong favourites against Aberdeen. Still, the manner of the victory offers a significant psychological boost heading into what promises to be a fiercely contested rematch.
The two sides meet again on Sunday in a league fixture at Celtic Park, where a capacity crowd will be desperate to see their side respond. Given the hostile reception O'Neill received at Ibrox, McInnes can expect similarly passionate treatment from Celtic supporters, though both managers are no strangers to such an atmosphere.
For Rangers, the challenge now is to replicate the intensity, cohesion and ruthlessness they showed in this victory. If they can do so, McInnes may have discovered a formula that not only advances his side in cup competition but also strengthens their position in the race for the league title.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.