Derek McInnes has cautioned that Rangers are effectively "playing with fire" after the club found itself with a very limited pool of defensive options. The manager disclosed that midfielder Tuur Rommens will be sidelined for as long as eight weeks following a groin strain he sustained in the dying moments of Sunday’s Scottish Premiership loss to Hibernian. In the same fixture, promising striker Youssef Chermiti suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury, ruling him out for a "significant period of time" and further compounding the team’s problems.
The early part of the season has been far from smooth for the Glasgow side, with the squad failing to secure a win in its opening two league matches. In response, McInnes admitted that the club urgently needs reinforcement across several areas, specifically at full‑back, wing, and forward positions. The first signing aimed at bolstering the ranks will be Couhaib Driouech, a winger who is expected to arrive from PSV for a fee in the region of £6.5 million. McInnes explained that strengthening the defence and adding width were top priorities, but losing a player of Chermiti’s calibre also forced the club to look at its attacking options.
"We need to shore up the back line and add quality on the flanks," McInnes said ahead of Thursday’s Europa League qualifier against Polish side Jagiellonia Białystok. "Unfortunately we don’t have a left‑footed centre‑back in the squad at the moment, and with a couple of defenders already injured, the situation is precarious." He went on to stress that while the current roster leaves the club vulnerable, Rangers do possess the resources to react swiftly. "The good thing is we have the ability to respond, and we hope to do so in a positive way," the manager added. The timing of Chermiti’s injury was particularly unfortunate.
It came just hours after reports emerged that Rangers had turned down a substantial offer from Galatasaray for the young forward. McInnes clarified that the club had no intention of letting the striker leave during the summer, describing him as a key component of the team’s future plans.
"The plan was for Youssef to be a major part of our project," he said. "One minute you’re soaring, looking ahead to a full season with big ambitions, and the next you’re forced to confront a serious injury." Addressing the need for a replacement, McInnes acknowledged that finding a quality number nine is always challenging. "The centre‑forwards are typically the hardest to recruit," he noted. "We will aim to bring in a player who complements what we already have up front, someone with pace and the ability to stretch defences in the way Youssef did." Rangers currently sit on a single point after two league games and trail 2‑1 from the first leg of their Europa League tie against Jagiellonia.
The manager recognised the difficulties but remained pragmatic. "We understand that football isn’t always sunshine and rainbows," he said, referencing his own appointment as a reminder that he was hired for a reason. "We have a European match in front of 50,000 fans tomorrow, and there have been a lot of changes and a reshuffle of the squad." He admitted that the season’s start has not unfolded as smoothly as he hoped, but emphasized that coping with adversity is part of a manager’s job. "There are ups and downs, and it’s about handling the tough periods," McInnes asserted.
"It defines you. Now it’s up to us to knuckle down, stay calm, and move quickly in the transfer market." The club’s recruitment strategy appears to be focused on both immediate fixes and longer‑term solutions.
While Driouech’s arrival addresses the need for width on the flanks, the search for a left‑footed centre‑back remains a priority. Additionally, the scouting department is reportedly monitoring several strikers who can provide the speed and directness that the team lacked after Chermiti’s injury. Beyond the immediate tactical concerns, McInnes also highlighted the importance of squad depth in a congested schedule that includes domestic league fixtures, cup competitions, and European commitments. "When you have a thin squad, injuries can quickly turn a manageable situation into a crisis," he warned.
"We need to ensure we have quality alternatives for every position, especially in defence where mistakes are costly." Fans will be watching closely as Rangers prepare for the Europa League second leg, hoping that the team can overturn the deficit and that the new signings will start to make an impact. The manager’s candid assessment underscores the precarious position the club finds itself in, but also reflects a determination to address the shortcomings head‑on.
In summary, Derek McInnes has openly acknowledged that Rangers are operating with a limited defensive roster, describing the scenario as "playing with fire." With key players like Rommens and Chermiti sidelined, the club is actively pursuing reinforcements, beginning with the acquisition of winger Couhaib Driouech. McInnes remains confident that the club’s resources and swift recruitment can mitigate the current challenges, while emphasizing the need for calm, decisive action as the season progresses.