McInnes insists he can bring success to Rangers at Ibrox
Derek McInnes said he still backs himself to deliver success at Ibrox after Rangers' Conference League play-off exit to Jablonec on penalties, speaking on 28 August 2026. He acknowledged the squad are not yet at the level he wants and that the club have had a difficult start to the season.
McInnes has recorded two wins, two draws and three defeats so far as Rangers manager and oversaw a second European exit this season with the Conference League play-off defeat on penalties by Czech side Jablonec. Domestically, Rangers have progressed in the League Cup and will host Celtic in the quarter-finals next month, while they have taken just one point from their opening two Scottish Premiership matches.
On transfers, the manager said Twelve players have been recruited already and he hopes to add "a couple more" while expecting "one or two" to leave before the closure of the transfer window next week. He also referenced an injury absence, saying: "We've obviously missed big Youssef [Chermiti, who is injured], the type of striker to go and stretch teams."
McInnes defended his credentials and level of accountability, telling Sky Sports: "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." He added: "The players need a wee bit of help and support at the minute."
Discussing the team's style and cohesion after Thursday's match, McInnes criticised the lack of a clear identity, saying: "My teams have always had some sort of identity." He outlined his intentions in more detail: "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."
On possession and pressing, McInnes said Rangers possess technical players but need composure: "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." He described his pressing ideal in full: "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."
The manager, the former Aberdeen, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Johnstone boss, insisted there is quality in the squad, saying: "There's talented players here. You don't get in the door at Rangers unless you're a talented player." The club has also confirmed it will give Celtic 300 tickets for the cup game.
Rangers are due to visit Aberdeen on Sunday.
