Callum McGregor's Rangers 'no more goals' moment a world away from 's****bag' Barisic clash

Celtic captain Callum McGregor appeared to mouth “no more goals” after Dan Neil’s second stunning strike from outside the area moved Rangers 3-0 ahead of Celtic at Ibrox.

The Rangers supporters were still celebrating Neil's second goal when cameras appeared to catch McGregor gesturing to his teammates and seemingly saying “no more goals.”

It was a moment which summed up Celtic's afternoon. Rangers had already established a commanding advantage by the time Neil struck for the second time, with Derek McInnes' side producing an aggressive, disciplined performance to put their rivals under sustained pressure, with new signing Kevin Kelsy netting between the former Sunderland captain’s brace.

By the time the third goal went in, McGregor's focus appeared to have shifted towards damage limitation.

The reaction is particularly notable given the Celtic captain's reputation for standing up in the biggest fixtures.

A very different McGregor

McGregor has never been afraid to make his feelings known in an Old Firm.

In 2022, during an Old Firm clash involving Rangers defender Borna Barisic, the Celtic captain was involved in a heated exchange with the Croatian.

McGregor was caught calling Barisic a “s*itebag” during the confrontation after the left back refused to take the midfielder on one-on-one.

That moment reflected the combative nature of the Old Firm and McGregor's willingness to engage in the battle.

At Ibrox on Sunday, however, the Celtic captain appeared to be dealing with an altogether different situation, and one he could no longer insult his way out of as his team fell to bits and exited the Premier Sports’ Cup.

Rather than looking for another confrontation, McGregor appeared to be trying to ensure Celtic did not concede a fourth as Rangers threatened to turn their dominance into an even bigger humiliation.

His “no more goals” message and signs to ‘tighten up’ came after Neil's second goal and captured the extent to which the balance of power had shifted.

Martin O'Neill admits Celtic were 'second best'

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill did not attempt to disguise the scale of his side's shortcomings after the final whistle.

“It is a wake up call, we were second best,” O’Neill admitted.

The blunt assessment reflected what had unfolded at Ibrox. Rangers had played with greater intensity, aggression and purpose, while Celtic struggled to impose themselves on the match.

It was precisely the type of performance McInnes had demanded from his players before kick-off.

The Rangers boss had repeatedly stressed the importance of personality, discipline and aggression ahead of his first Old Firm as Rangers manager and his players well and truly delivered.

Rangers turn the screw

The result represented more than simply three points or progression in the Premier Sports Cup.

Rangers had spent recent weeks attempting to build momentum under McInnes, and the 3-0 victory provided their clearest evidence yet that the manager's ideas are beginning to take hold.

Neil's double was followed by Kelsy's goal as Rangers repeatedly punished Celtic and refused to take their foot off the accelerator as they made it five wins on the bounce.

Even when three goals ahead, McInnes' players continued to compete for every ball.

That mentality was highlighted by Neil after the match, with the Rangers vice-captain saying the team had “each other's backs from the first minute to the last.”

McInnes made a similar point in his own post-match assessment, describing the dressing room as the type of environment he wants at Rangers.

The Celtic captain's apparent reaction after the third goal therefore offered a striking visual representation of the afternoon.

McGregor, one of Celtic's most experienced and decorated players, appeared to be asking his teammates to stop the damage.

The man who once branded Barisic a coward in the heat of an Old Firm confrontation was now seemingly concerned with ensuring Celtic could simply get to the final whistle without conceding again.

It was perhaps the clearest indication yet for Rangers of just how emphatic their afternoon at Ibrox had been.