Rangers’ McInnes Calls for Support Amid Early Season Struggles
Rangers manager Derek McInnes has expressed the need for “a wee bit of help” as he navigates a tough start to his tenure despite having funds available for potential reinforcements. Under McInnes, the team has faced a challenging beginning with two draws and two defeats in their first four league matches, resulting in just one point accruing in the standings. Moreover, Rangers’ loss to Jagiellonia Bialystok caused them to drop out of the Europa League and into the Conference League qualifiers.
Should Rangers fail to progress against Czech side Jablonec in their upcoming matches, the club risks the prospect of no continental competition, along with the associated revenue, for the remainder of the season.
This summer, McInnes has undertaken a significant rebuilding effort, bringing in nine new players. However, he believes further additions could strengthen the squad. “It’s not been the start we wanted, but the intention is still to have the outcome that we want come the end of the season,” McInnes commented ahead of the League Cup last-16 tie against St Mirren on Sunday.
He highlighted the importance of securing victories to ease the pressure on the team. “We need to try and win games as we go along because if you don’t, everything becomes so much more difficult,” he noted. “The only thing that has to change is getting more winning performances, and hopefully we can have that on Sunday.”
Injuries have also posed challenges for McInnes, who acknowledged having to make tactical compromises during Thursday’s 1-1 draw against Jagiellonia. He emphasized the necessity for the team to deliver an encouraging performance for their supporters against St Mirren. “They need to see action. Nobody is sitting here and asking for understanding and patience. I quite understand the frustrations, and it’s been more than just these four games where the frustration starts to build.”
Analysis: ‘McInnes Not a Bad Manager After Four Games’
Former Rangers defender Richard Foster offered insight on the team’s situation, stating, “It’s been tough. The level of performance is the thing that they’re questioning, but they’re also not winning games.” He voiced confidence in McInnes, saying, “He’s not become a bad manager in four games.” Foster believes that under McInnes’ leadership, Rangers can still become contenders for both the league and cup.
Meanwhile, former midfielder Andy Halliday suggested that player recruitment should involve collaboration between the manager and the footballing department. “A recruitment team should always identify targets that fit the profile that the manager wants,” he remarked. He indicated that the team’s needs include a starting right-back, a center-half, and additional wingers, highlighting the significance of strategic signings.
Former Hearts manager John Robertson added that scrutiny intensifies with poor results. “If you don’t win your first few games, you’re immediately under pressure,” he said. He urged the club to grant McInnes the necessary time to construct his squad and instill his vision.
Rangers need “a wee bit of help” and have money to spend to get it despite dropping out of the Europa League, says manager Derek McInnes.
Two draws and two defeats in the first four games of his tenure have put new boss McInnes under pressure, with Rangers registering only one point in the league and dropping into the Conference League qualifiers after losing to Jagiellonia Bialystok.
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Should the Ibrox side fail to overcome Czech side Jablonec over the final two Thursdays in August, they will be without continental competition – and the income it brings – for the rest of the campaign.
McInnes has overseen a summer of rebuilding, with nine players brought in, but he maintains that more could yet follow.
“It’s not been the start we wanted, but the intention is still to have the outcome that we want come the end of the season,” he said before Sunday’s League Cup last-16 tie with St Mirren (16:00 BST).
“We’re still working hard towards that and we’ve got money to spend. We’ve got a lot of younger players and what we could do with is just a wee bit of help.
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“We need to try and win games as we go along because if you don’t, everything becomes so much more difficult. Everything gets scrutinised.
“That’s not going to change. The only thing that has to change is getting more winning performances and hopefully we can have that Sunday.”
McInnes admitted injuries had forced him to put “square pegs in round holes” in Thursday’s 1-1 draw at home to Jagiellonia.
And he said they need to give the Rangers fans “something to get behind” when they welcome St Mirren.
“They need to see action,” he added. “Nobody is sitting here and asking for understanding and patience. I quite understand the frustrations and it’s been more than just these four games where the frustration starts to build.
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“They need somewhere to vent that but they should be seeing a better performance and we’ll aim to give them that.”
Analysis: ‘McInnes not become a bad manager in four games’
Former Rangers defender Richard Foster
It’s been tough. The level of performance is the thing that they’re questioning but they’re also not winning games, they’re out of the Europa League.
I do believe Derek is the right man. He’s not become a bad manager in four games.
I think he will get Rangers to a place this season where they’re challenging for the league and the cup and they’re playing good football and they’re competitive. You’ve got to be patient.
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Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday
It should be a combination of the footballing department and Derek McInnes [that sign the players]. A recruitment team should always identify targets that fit the profile that the manager wants and then the manager should have the final say.
If you’ve signed 27 players in a year, something’s gone seriously, seriously wrong.
They need a starting right-back, a starting centre-half, a starting centre midfielder – which is unbelievable to say considering they’ve signed three in the summer – and I think they need another two wingers.
If Derek wants to continue with two strikers, they need another striker.
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Former Hearts manager John Robertson
Everything is getting scrutinised. If you don’t win your first few games, you’re immediately under pressure. Derek McInnes is suddenly under pressure.
He has to be given time to build his team, put his stamp on it. He needs to sort out the spine of his team and that’s going to take more money.
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