Dan Neil Reveals McInnes ‘War Cry’ Behind Celtic Derby Success
Dan Neil has revealed that Derek McInnes used “war cry” team talks to inspire Rangers before Celtic derby wins. Rangers won 3-0 in the Premier Sports Cup at Ibrox and 1-0 in the Scottish Premiership at Celtic Park. Both results arrived within seven days. Neil shared the details on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club. This Dan Neil Rangers Celtic story makes for uncomfortable reading at Parkhead. He’s been standing in as Rangers captain while Lawrence Shankland recovers from injury. It fell to him to carry McInnes’ message into both derbies.
Premier Sports Interview Details Tactical Plan and Dressing Room Speeches
Neil was in no doubt about the impact of McInnes’ pre-match messaging when asked directly about it on Premier Sports.
“Yeah, I think that was definitely part of the team talk. He is brilliant at them. Every single one has been a real kind of war cry. It’s been really, really good.”
The Rangers midfielder explained how McInnes reset the group’s focus after the cup win. He wanted no one dwelling on the Ibrox scoreline before the trip to Celtic Park.
“Forget last week. Last week’s done. It’s a completely new game. Completely new circumstances. ‘Yeah, we got through to the semi-final of the cup, which is brilliant. But if we lose this game, it’s potentially eight points. So this is probably just as important. So yeah, brilliant last week. But focus on the now. Focus on game by game. And we need to come out of here with a result.'”
That message evidently landed. Rangers followed the cup win with a 1-0 victory at Celtic Park, denying Celtic any response and extending the damage from the first derby.
Penrice Inverted Role Neutralises Celtic Midfield Threat
The other major talking point from Neil’s interview was the role handed to James Penrice. McInnes asked his left full-back to invert into central midfield for both games, with the specific job of shutting down Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren.
Neil admitted the plan raised eyebrows inside the Rangers squad before it was even tested in a match.
“I mean, the Penrice one, I think we were all surprised that it [happened] even on the training pitch. But it absolutely worked to perfection and Penners was absolutely brilliant in both games.”
For Celtic supporters, the admission confirms what looked obvious from the stands. Nygren struggled to find space in either derby, and Rangers effectively removed one of Celtic’s main creative threats without needing an extra body in midfield. It is a tactical detail worth remembering, and it explains why Celtic’s build-up play broke down so often in both games.
Rangers Extend Winning Streak as Celtic Look to Respond
The pair of wins forms part of a six-game winning run for Rangers, and it has intensified the scrutiny of Celtic’s form under Martin O’Neill. Both derbies also renewed debate about officiating, with our report on the referee appointments for those fixtures giving useful background. Neil’s full comments, including his praise for McInnes, can be read in the Daily Record interview transcript. Celtic have plenty to address before the sides meet again, and the Dan Neil Rangers Celtic story from Ibrox and Parkhead will not be forgotten quickly at Celtic Park.
