Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday has stepped forward to shield the club’s new boss, Derek McInnes, from the mounting criticism that has followed a disappointing start to his tenure at Ibrox. Halliday, who enjoyed a five‑year spell as a player for the Glasgow side, argued that the blame for the recent run of poor results does not rest with the manager but with broader structural issues within the organization.
In a candid interview with Sky Sports News, Halliday described McInnes as a coach who is "doing the best that he possibly can with what’s at his disposal to try and get results." He emphasized that the manager is still in the early stages of establishing a tactical identity and building a squad he can rely on. "He’s trying to find a formula, he’s trying to find a solution, he’s trying to find players that he trusts," Halliday said, noting that the manager is still scratching the surface of what the team needs in terms of personnel and playing style. Halliday pointed out that the current squad suffers from a noticeable lack of pace and creativity, and there is no player capable of dictating the tempo of a match. This deficiency, he argued, makes it difficult for any manager to produce consistent performances.
"You look at the balance of the squad and there’s a real lack of pace, a real lack of creativity, no one that can dictate the tempo of a game," he explained. "Derek McInnes is doing the best that he possibly can with what’s at his disposal to try and get results. At this moment in time, he’s not found that solution." The criticism of McInnes has intensified after Rangers extended their winless streak to four games, culminating in a disappointing exit from the Europa League at the hands of Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok.
Fans and pundits alike have expressed frustration over the lack of progress, and the club’s hierarchy has come under fire for what Halliday described as "gross mismanagement" of player recruitment. Rangers entered the summer transfer window with a flurry of activity, signing nine new players.
However, a high‑profile deal for PSV winger Couhaib Driouech, reportedly worth £6.5 million, collapsed after the player suffered an injury during his medical examination. The aborted signing added to the sense that the club’s recruitment strategy has been erratic. Chairman Andrew Cavenagh attempted to defend the recruitment process during a recent shareholders' Q&A, insisting that the squad is stronger than it was a year ago. Nevertheless, Halliday remained skeptical, highlighting the sheer volume of signings – 27 players in the span of twelve months – as evidence of a lack of clear direction.
"If you’ve signed 27 players in the space of 12 months, then you’ve got so many decisions wrong," he said. "It is quite incredible that we’ve allowed this to take place. Only one left‑back in the door, three centre‑halves, only two wingers, a whole host of central‑midfield players that all kind of fit the same profile." According to Halliday, the club’s recruitment has produced a glut of players who occupy similar roles without offering any real upgrade over the existing squad. He warned that unless the incoming signings represent a clear step up in quality, Rangers could be facing a protracted and difficult season.
"They need an upgrade, and I think it’s hard to say they’ve done that," Halliday concluded. The broader context of this debate touches on several key issues that affect any top‑flight club. First, the balance between short‑term results and long‑term planning is always delicate.
A manager like McInnes, who arrives with his own ideas about playing style, needs time to assess the current roster, identify gaps, and bring in players who fit his vision. Rushing that process can lead to a mismatched squad, as Halliday suggests. Second, the role of the board and scouting department is crucial.
Effective recruitment requires not only identifying talent but also ensuring that new signings complement each other and address specific tactical deficiencies. When a club signs a large number of players in a short period, there is a risk of redundancy and a lack of cohesion, which can undermine the manager’s ability to implement a coherent system. Third, fan expectations at a club with Rangers’ history are understandably high. The pressure to deliver trophies and European success can create a volatile environment where managers are judged quickly on a handful of results.
Halliday’s defence of McInnes highlights the importance of allowing a manager a reasonable runway to embed his philosophy, especially when the squad composition is still evolving. Looking ahead, the path to improvement for Rangers will likely involve a combination of strategic signings, tactical adjustments, and perhaps most importantly, patience from the supporters and the board. If the club can address the identified lack of pace and creativity – perhaps by targeting dynamic wingers or midfielders with a proven ability to control games – it could give McInnes the tools he needs to turn the tide.
In summary, Andy Halliday’s comments paint a picture of a club in transition, grappling with the consequences of an aggressive recruitment strategy and the inevitable growing pains of a new managerial appointment. While the recent results have been disappointing, Halliday believes that McInnes is working within the constraints he has been given and that the real issues lie higher up the hierarchy. Only time will tell whether the club can correct its course and provide the manager with the resources required to restore Rangers to their traditional level of competitiveness.