Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday stepped forward to champion the club's new manager, Derek McInnes, amid a difficult start to his tenure at Ibrox. Halliday, who spent five seasons playing for the Glasgow side, argued that the blame for the team's recent slump does not rest with the manager but rather with deeper structural issues within the organization. He highlighted the lack of pace, creativity and a clear game‑shaping presence in the current squad, pointing out that McInnes is still searching for the right formula and the players he can rely on to implement his ideas.
Halliday's comments came at a time when Rangers have extended their winless run to four matches, a run that culminated in a disappointing exit from the Europa League at the hands of Polish club Jagiellonia Bialystok. The defeat has intensified scrutiny on both the manager and the playing group, with supporters and pundits questioning the club's recruitment policy and overall direction.
Despite the pressure, Halliday maintained that McInnes is "doing the best that he possibly can with what's at his disposal to try and get results," emphasizing that the manager is still in the early stages of shaping his team. The former midfielder explained that McInnes is "scratching the surface" of the squad's potential, trying to identify a tactical shape that suits the players available and seeking individuals he trusts to execute his game plan.
Halliday noted a glaring imbalance in the roster: a shortage of speed on the flanks, insufficient creativity in the final third, and an absence of a player capable of dictating the tempo of matches. These deficiencies, he argued, are not a reflection of McInnes's competence but rather the product of a recruitment strategy that has failed to deliver the necessary upgrades. Rangers entered the summer transfer window with a flurry of activity, signing nine new players in an attempt to refresh the squad. However, a high‑profile deal for PSV winger Couhaib Driouech, reportedly worth £6.5 million, fell through after an injury was discovered during his medical examination.
The collapse of that transfer added to the sense of frustration among fans, who have voiced concerns about the quality and suitability of the new signings. Club chairman Andrew Cavenagh attempted to defend the recruitment process during a recent shareholder Q&A, asserting that the squad is stronger than it was a year ago. He pointed to the depth added in various positions and suggested that the team is better equipped to compete on multiple fronts. Nevertheless, Halliday remained unconvinced, describing the situation as a "gross level of mismanagement" at the executive level.
He highlighted the sheer volume of players brought in—27 signings over a twelve‑month period—as evidence of a chaotic and ineffective transfer policy. According to Halliday, the club's recent acquisitions have been uneven and, in many cases, redundant.
He observed that the transfer window yielded only one left‑back, three centre‑backs, two wingers, and a host of central midfielders who all share a similar profile. This lack of variety, he argued, has left the team without the immediate upgrades required to compete at the highest level. "It is quite incredible that we've allowed this to take place," Halliday said, underscoring his belief that the board's decisions have hampered the manager's ability to build a balanced, dynamic side. The former player stressed that while the club acknowledges the need for further signings, any new arrivals must represent a clear step up from the current roster.
Without such upgrades, Halliday warned, the season is likely to be protracted and fraught with difficulties. He emphasized that the onus is now on the hierarchy to rectify the recruitment shortcomings and provide McInnes with the tools he needs to implement his vision.
In summary, Halliday's defence of Derek McInnes rests on three main points: first, the manager is still in the process of identifying the right tactical framework and the players who fit it; second, the existing squad suffers from a lack of pace, creativity and a game‑controlling presence; and third, the club's recent transfer activity has been poorly managed, resulting in an imbalance that hampers progress. Halliday concluded that the responsibility for the team's current struggles lies more with the club's leadership than with the manager, who is doing everything within his power to turn the tide. As the Scottish Premiership continues, Rangers supporters will be watching closely to see whether the board can correct its recruitment strategy and whether McInnes can finally find the winning formula that will restore the club to its traditional standards of success.