Derek McInnes has openly cautioned that Rangers are essentially "playing with fire" after a spate of injuries has left the club with a severely limited pool of defensive options. The situation was highlighted following the final minutes of Rangers' recent Scottish Premiership loss to Hibernian, when midfielder Tuur Rommens sustained a groin strain that is expected to keep him sidelined for up to eight weeks. This setback compounds an already precarious defensive roster and forces the manager to confront a growing crisis at the back. The injury woes are not confined to the back line.
In the same match, promising striker Youssef Chermiti suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that will rule him out for a "significant period of time" and effectively removes a key attacking outlet from the squad. Chermiti's absence is a particular blow because Rangers had recently turned down a sizeable offer for him from Turkish side Galatasaray, indicating that the club had intended to build a substantial part of their season around his talents.
McInnes made it clear that the plan was for Chermiti to be a central figure in Rangers' attacking strategy, and the sudden loss of such a player has forced the management to rethink their forward options. With the team still winless after two opening league fixtures, McInnes admitted that the squad requires reinforcement across several areas, specifically at full‑back, wing, and striker positions.
The first concrete addition on the horizon is winger Couhaib Driouech, who is set to arrive from PSV for an estimated fee of £6.5 million. McInnes explained that bolstering the defensive unit and adding width on the flanks were top priorities, but losing a player of Chermiti's calibre also necessitates urgent attention to the attacking line. "We need to strengthen defensively and add quality in wide areas – that was a clear priority," McInnes said ahead of Thursday's Europa League qualifier against Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok.
"Losing a player like Youssef forces us to look at that as well. We simply don't have a deep bench of defensive talent at the moment. We lack a left‑footed centre‑back, and we are eager to resolve that as quickly as possible." The manager acknowledged that the limited defensive depth is a ticking time bomb.
"With the numbers we have, we are definitely playing with fire, especially with a couple of defenders already injured," he added. "The good thing is we have the capacity to react, and we hope to respond positively." Chermiti's injury came just hours after news broke that Rangers had rebuffed a lucrative bid from Galatasaray. McInnes stressed that the club had no intention of letting the young striker leave during the summer. "The plan was for Youssef to be a big part of our project," he explained.
"One moment you're soaring, looking ahead to a full season and lofty ambitions, and the next you have to grapple with a serious injury." Regarding the forward line, McInnes highlighted the difficulty of finding a suitable replacement for a number nine. "Number nines are usually the hardest to sign," he said. "We will aim to find a player who complements what we already have up front, ideally someone with pace and the ability to replicate what Youssef offered." Rangers currently sit on a solitary point from their opening two league games and head into the Europa League second leg trailing 2‑1 after the first encounter with Jagiellonia. The manager reminded everyone that football is not always "sunshine and rainbows" and that his appointment came with a purpose.
"I got the job for a reason," the former Hearts boss remarked. "Tomorrow we'll be playing a European match in front of 50,000 fans. There have been many changes and a lot of reshuffling in the squad.
It hasn't been as straightforward as I hoped, and we want to enjoy the job more than we currently do." He went on to reflect on the inevitable ups and downs of management, emphasizing resilience. "It's part of being a manager – there are highs and lows, but you have to cope with the tough periods.
It defines you. Now it's up to us to knuckle down, stay calm, and act swiftly in the transfer market," McInnes concluded. In summary, Rangers face a critical juncture: a spate of injuries has left them vulnerable defensively, while the loss of a key striker threatens their attacking potency. The club is actively seeking reinforcements, with Driouech's arrival marking the first step.
McInnes remains cautiously optimistic, believing that with decisive recruitment and a focused mindset, the team can navigate the current challenges and restore its competitive edge in both domestic and European competitions.