Headline:
Derek McInnes Previews Rangers’ Conference League Clash Against Jablonec
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Derek McInnes addressed the media this week in preparation for Rangers’ upcoming match against Jablonec in the first leg of their Conference League play-off on Thursday. Here are the main points shared by the Ibrox manager:
New signing Kosta Nedeljkovic has joined the squad and is ready to participate if he is registered on time. He has been training with Aston Villa. Additionally, James Penrice will feature in the match, with McInnes noting that Rangers now “look a bit stronger than we did a week ago” in the full-back positions.
The club is currently focused on recruiting for forward positions, specifically seeking a striker and a winger, which McInnes describes as “the toughest ones” to secure due to their potential to “change the whole dynamic of the team.”
Regarding the search for a number nine, McInnes remarked, “It wasn’t an area we were looking to try and do, but obviously with Youssef [Chermiti’s] injury, the lads are all actively trying to find and source good options for us to try and see if we can deliver one. We’re poring over different options and different strikers, and we’re hoping we can land on the one that we want, and hopefully we can bring them here quickly.”
After securing an important first win against St Mirren on Sunday, McInnes noted that the mood around the team was significantly improved: “Everyone was a bit brighter, a bit more of a spring in their step” following the victory.
He acknowledged that while there are still areas to improve, scoring five goals at home is a positive takeaway. “So we’ve got to take the positives from it, and I thought it was some good performances. So absolutely, going into this game, everything seems a bit easier, a bit more enjoyable when you’re winning,” he added.
On the possibility of bringing in a new center-back, McInnes stated, “Never say never but the priorities are the top end of the pitch.”
He praised Nicolas Raskin, calling him a “dream” to work with despite ongoing speculation regarding the Belgian midfielder’s future at Ibrox.
Addressing his decision to drop captain Lawrence Shankland to the bench last weekend, McInnes explained, “Being captain does not guarantee anything, and he accepted that. He is not going to stamp his feet. Somebody has to be club captain and, having had the benefit of working with Lawrence previously, he is a brilliant captain and a brilliant boy. He has a lot to offer.”
McInnes expressed confidence in Shankland’s goal-scoring potential, stating that he is “too good not to score on a regular basis.” He emphasized the importance of allowing players to play their natural game, noting, “The best strikers have that instinctive side to their game, where everything looks natural and seamless. I have no doubt he will do well here.”
Looking ahead to the match against Jablonec, McInnes described them as “clearly a well-organised team” with “a few good individuals” capable of causing problems. However, he expects it to be a tougher contest for them than for his side.
Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media before Rangers host Jablonec in the first leg of their Conference League play-off on Thursday.
Here are the key points from the Ibrox boss:
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New signing Kosta Nedeljkovic is in the squad and ready to play – if registered in time – as he has been training with Aston Villa.
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James Penrice will also feature and McInnes says Rangers now “look a bit stronger than we did a week ago” at full-back.
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The priority in recruitment now is forward areas, with the club seeking a striker and a winger, two positions which are “the toughest ones” to fill because they make the difference and can “change the whole dynamic of the team”.
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On the search for a number nine, McInnes says: “It wasn’t an area we were looking to try and do, but obviously with Youssef [Chermiti’s] injury, the lads are all actively trying to find and source good options for us to try and see if we can deliver one. We’re poring over different options and different strikers and so we’re hoping we can land on the one that we want, and hopefully we can bring them here quickly.”
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After beating St Mirren on Sunday for a belated but “important” first win of his tenure, McInnes says everyone “was a bit brighter, a bit more of a spring in their step” on Monday.
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He adds: “There’s still certain things we need to improve on, clearly, but scoring five goals at home in any sort of game is good shooting. So we’ve got to take the positives from it, and I thought it was some good performances. So absolutely, going into this game, everything seems a bit easier, a bit more enjoyable when you’re winning.”
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On potentially bringing in a new centre-half: “Never say never but the priorities are the top end of the pitch.”
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McInnes says Nicolas Raskin has been a “dream” to work with despite continued speculation over the Belgium midfielder’s Ibrox future.
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On his decision to drop skipper Lawrence Shankland to the bench last weekend, the Ibrox boss says: “Being captain does not guarantee anything, and he accepted that. He is not going to stamp his feet. Somebody has to be club captain and, having had the benefit of working with Lawrence previously, he is a brilliant captain and a brilliant boy. He has a lot to offer.”
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McInnes isn’t worried about Shankland’s goal return – one in five games so far – because he is “too good not to score on a regular basis”.
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He adds: “Sometimes people can over-emphasise these things. For me, it is a case of letting him play his natural game. The best strikers have that instinctive side to their game, where everything looks natural and seamless. I have no doubt he will do well here.”
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Jablonec are “clearly a well-organised team” and boast “a few good individuals” who can cause danger and McInnes says: “Although I expect a tough game, I expect it to be tougher for them.”
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