McInnes Aims for Improvement as Rangers Struggle Early in the Season
Manager Derek McInnes expressed that Rangers are “a long way away” from his vision for the team but remains confident in his ability to lead the club to success at Ibrox. The 55-year-old manager witnessed his squad face elimination from European competition for the second time this season, suffering a penalty shootout defeat to Czech side Jablonec in the Conference League play-off.
Domestically, Rangers have advanced in the League Cup and are set to host Celtic in the quarter-finals next month. However, the team has only secured one point from its first two matches in the Scottish Premiership and will take on Aberdeen on Sunday.
“I like to think I know what I’m doing as a manager; I’m a good manager, I back myself, but at the minute, none of us are doing our job well enough,” McInnes told Sky Sports. He stressed that the players need assistance and support during this challenging period.
“We’re a long way away from the Rangers team that I want us to be and the Rangers team that I intend us to be. The players are working extremely hard,” he added, noting the current environment of uncertainty. McInnes believes that once the transfer window closes, the situation will stabilize.
So far, the club has brought in twelve new players, with McInnes hoping to add “a couple more” while anticipating that “one or two” may depart before the window closes next week. “We’re not quite there,” he acknowledged, indicating a need for more refinement.
The absence of key striker Youssef Chermiti due to injury has affected the team’s dynamics. “It’s not been the start we wanted. I’m not the first Rangers manager to get off to a tough start, but we are determined to follow this job through, and it’s the end that counts. I still believe we’re going to be a success here,” McInnes stated.
Following Thursday’s match, McInnes reflected on his team’s difficulties in maintaining a clear style of play—whether it be possession-based, counter-attacking, or direct. “My teams have always had some sort of identity,” he explained, emphasizing his desire for the team to apply more pressure on their opponents defensively.
“I want us to try and be a team that puts more stress on teams defensively, and I don’t think that we are at the minute. We’ve got good ball players, and I think we just need to relax a wee bit more in possession and be comfortable with what we’re trying to do,” he noted. McInnes believes that with one or two additional players, the team can enhance its performance.
“I want us to be able to be a team that goes full press, but when you go full press and you’re aggressive, you’ve got to be really aggressive with that, and you’ve got to pick up second balls, win duels, and really impose yourself on the game,” he added. “There are talented players here. You don’t get in the door at Rangers unless you’re a talented player.”
Manager Derek McInnes says Rangers are “a long way away” from what he wants but backs himself to deliver success at Ibrox.
The 55-year-old oversaw a second exit from European competition this season with a Conference League play-off defeat on penalties by Czech side Jablonec.
Advertisement
Domestically, Rangers have progressed in the League Cup and will host Celtic in the quarter-finals next month but McInnes’ side have picked up just one point from their opening two Scottish Premiership matches and visit Aberdeen on Sunday.
“I like to think I know what I’m doing as a manager, I’m a good manager, I back myself but at the minute, none of us are doing our job well enough,” McInnes told Sky Sports.
“The players need a wee bit of help and support at the minute.
“We’re a long way away from the Rangers team that I want us to be and the Rangers team that I intend us to be. The players are working extremely hard.
Advertisement
“There’s a lot of uncertainty at the minute. Once the window closes, everything becomes a bit calmer.”
Twelve players have been recruited already and McInnes hopes to sign “a couple more” and expects “one or two” to leave before the closure of the transfer window next week.
“We’re not quite there,” McInnes said.
“We’ve obviously missed big Youssef [Chermiti, who is injured], the type of striker to go and stretch teams.
“I don’t expect us to be perfect at this stage. It’s not been the start we wanted, I’m not the first Rangers manager to get off to a tough start but we are determined to follow this job through and it’s the end that counts and I still believe we’re going to be a success here.”
Advertisement
After Thursday’s match, McInnes lamented his side’s struggle to be either possession-based, counter attacking or direct.
“My teams have always had some sort of identity,” explained the former Aberdeen, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Johnstone manager.
“I want us to try and be a team that puts more stress on teams defensively and I don’t think that we are at the minute.
“We’ve got good ball players and I think we just need to relax a wee bit more in possession and be comfortable with what we’re try to do. It’s not as if we’re not capable of being that but I do think with an extra one or two additions, it will help us become something.
Advertisement
“I want us to be able to be a team that goes full press but when you go full press and you’re aggressive, you’ve got to be really aggressive with that and you’ve got to pick up second balls and win duels and turn the ball over and really impose yourself on the game.
“There’s talented players here. You don’t get in the door at Rangers unless you’re a talented player.”
[/gpt3]