Kevin Kelsy gives 'amazing' Rangers reaction after first goal in Celtic demolition
Kevin Kelsy gave a simple verdict on the Ibrox atmosphere after scoring his first Rangers goal in Sunday's emphatic 3-0 Old Firm victory over Celtic.
The Venezuelan striker scored the second, and his first for the Gers during a memorable afternoon for Derek McInnes' side as Rangers swept aside their rivals to book their place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals.
Kelsy has only recently arrived in Scotland but wasted little time making his mark, producing a composed performance against Celtic before finding the net in only his third appearance.
And when asked about the atmosphere inside Ibrox, the Rangers striker had one immediate response.
“In one word, amazing. Amazing. I'm happy for that,” he said to Premier Sports.
“Amazing. My first goal for this team. I'm happy to help my team. I'm happy.”
Dan Neil hails 'big man' Kelsy
Kelsy's contribution was not lost on his Rangers teammates, with captain Dan Neil singling out the striker for praise after the match.
Neil joked that he would take the award for man-of-the-match after his own two strikes but admitted he expects Kelsy to produce plenty more spectacular finishes during his Rangers career.
“Maybe. I mean, I don't score many goals. I'm sure he's going to stick a few like that in during the season,” the skipper said.
“I'll take it this time. But I thought the big man was excellent today.”
Neil was particularly impressed by how quickly Kelsy has adapted to Scottish football.
The forward has not been in the country long, yet he was trusted to lead the line against Celtic in one of the biggest fixtures in the Scottish football calendar.
“He hasn't been over in the country very long, and to put a performance against a team like that in so early, I thought he was absolutely excellent,” he said.
Rangers execute McInnes plan
Neil also explained how McInnes wanted Rangers to approach the Old Firm clash.
The Rangers vice-captain believes the players were able to combine aggression with defensive discipline, using the Ibrox crowd without allowing Celtic opportunities to exploit space.
“I think in the last few games, we've done well without the ball in terms of giving up the ball sometimes out of possession,” he explained.
“Today, we wanted to use that big crowd that we had behind us and really get after them. But we didn't do it too much where we left ourselves open.
“We switched from being on a block to being man for man, and I thought the lads executed it absolutely perfectly.”
Kelsy looking ahead to Hampden
The victory means Kelsy will now have the chance to experience another major occasion in Rangers colours, with McInnes' side progressing to the League Cup semi-finals at Hampden where they will face Aberdeen.
Asked if anyone had told him what it would be like to play at the national stadium, Kelsy made it clear that he is already enjoying his new surroundings.
“I'm so happy. I will enjoy this game, this club, my teammates,” he said.
For a player who has only recently arrived in Scotland, Kelsy's first Old Firm experience could hardly have gone better.
A first Rangers goal, a 3-0 victory over Celtic and a place in the League Cup semi-finals have given the Venezuelan an early taste of what playing for Rangers is all about.
