Derek Ferguson wowed by Derek McInnes 'genius' after Rangers win vs Celtic

Derek McInnes is quickly earning back Rangers fans after his awful start at Ibrox, with some weeks to remember.

Crashing out of Europe and not winning in their first two Scottish Premiership fixtures, it looked doom and gloom.

But, Rangers have been perfect since then.

Four wins in the league were followed by the 3-0 demolition of Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup to send them packing.

James Penrice earned his plaudits for his performance, being moved into midfield from his usual left-back spot to dominate.

It's McInnes who drew up the masterplan, though, and Derek Ferguson was in awe of the Scot in the dugout.

Derek McInnes gets it absolutely spot on

The teamsheet threw up no surprises, but the system certainly did.

Speaking on Open Goal, Ferguson admitted that Penrice playing further forward was amazing, despite not expecting it.

"I was really nervous," he said.

"That was a bit of genius, because I'm sitting there and 10 minutes in, thinking 'what's he doing?'.

"And then, he was on Nygren. How much trust has he got in the three, Sterling, Makhanya and big Fernandez.

"They were excellent."

Will Rangers play same again at Parkhead?

This is the question on everybody's mouths.

Now, nobody expected McInnes to play this system at Ibrox, especially Celtic and Martin O'Neill, who were dominated.

It will be a completely different scenario at Parkhead, though, Celtic won't turn up the same side, every Old Firm is different.

So, it would be zero surprise if McInnes went with something slightly different again with no away fans behind him.

Rangers were too physical, not only in midfield, but all over the park, and that'll be the first goal for them again.

If you can bully your opponent and press them off the park, you are already one step ahead.

McInnes has been around the block, just like O'Neill, and he'll be desperate to get three points in an Old Firm.

The team spirit is growing every single day at Auchenhowie, and with Celtic also playing in the Europa League on Thursday, Rangers will be licking their lips yet again.

It didn't look like two teams five points apart in the Premier Sports Cup, and it's time to cut that gap even further.