Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday stepped forward to shield his club's new manager, Derek McInnes, from mounting criticism after a disappointing start to the season at Ibrox. Halliday, who spent five years playing for the Glasgow side, argued that the blame for the team's early struggles does not rest solely on the coach but rather on deeper structural problems within the organization.
In a candid interview with Sky Sports News, Halliday explained that McInnes 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 process of discovering the right tactical formula and identifying the players he can rely on to execute his vision. Halliday noted that the current squad suffers from a noticeable lack of pace, creativity, and a player capable of dictating the tempo of a match, which makes the manager's job even more challenging. The pressure on McInnes has intensified after Rangers extended their winless streak to four games, culminating in a humiliating Europa League exit at the hands of Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok.
The defeat sparked a wave of criticism from fans and pundits alike, many of whom pointed to the club's transfer policy as a primary cause of the on‑field woes. Halliday, however, cautioned against singling out the manager when the underlying issues stem from the boardroom. According to Halliday, the club's recruitment strategy over the past twelve months has been chaotic and ineffective.
He highlighted that Rangers signed 27 players in a single year, a volume that he described as "a gross level of mismanagement." The influx of new faces included only one left‑back, three centre‑backs, two wingers, and a large number of central midfielders who all share a similar profile. Halliday argued that this lack of balance and variety has left the squad without the essential attributes needed to compete at the highest level.
Chairman Andrew Cavenagh has defended the recruitment department, insisting that the squad is stronger than it was a year ago. He pointed to the nine new signings made during the summer window as evidence of progress.
Yet Halliday remained skeptical, noting that a high‑profile deal for PSV winger Couhaib Driouech fell through after the player suffered an injury during his medical examination. This missed opportunity, Halliday suggested, exemplifies the club's inability to secure immediate upgrades to the existing roster.
Halliday stressed that merely adding numbers does not equate to improvement. He argued that the club must focus on acquiring players who represent a clear step up in quality, rather than signing individuals who merely replicate the strengths and weaknesses of the current group. "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." The former midfielder also highlighted the tactical implications of the recruitment imbalance. Without a pace‑youthful winger or a creative midfield engine, Rangers struggle to break down compact defenses and are forced into a predictable, low‑tempo style of play. This, in turn, hampers McInnes's ability to implement his preferred system, leaving him to "scratch the surface" of potential solutions while the squad's deficiencies continue to be exposed.
Halliday's defence of McInnes is not an outright endorsement of the manager's tactics but rather an acknowledgement that a coach can only work with the tools provided. He believes that if the board were to rectify the recruitment shortcomings and bring in players who can add speed, imagination, and leadership, McInnes would have a much better chance of turning the season around. In Halliday's view, the current lack of an "immediate upgrade" is the primary obstacle to success. The situation at Rangers reflects a broader challenge faced by many clubs: aligning the strategic vision of the board with the practical needs of the coaching staff.
When the two are out of sync, the result is often a cycle of poor performances, fan frustration, and media scrutiny. Halliday's comments serve as a reminder that football is a collaborative enterprise, and that blaming a single individual for a collective failure oversimplifies a complex problem. Looking ahead, Halliday urged the club's hierarchy to act decisively in the upcoming transfer windows.
He suggested that a focused approach—targeting players with proven experience in high‑pressure environments and specific skill sets that address the team's current gaps—could provide the catalyst needed for a turnaround. Until such changes are made, he believes McInnes will continue to "do the best he possibly can" with the resources at hand, but the results may remain elusive. In summary, Andy Halliday's remarks paint a picture of a club in disarray, where excessive signings, a lack of strategic planning, and insufficient player quality have created a perfect storm for underperformance.
While McInnes is not immune to criticism, Halliday argues that the primary responsibility lies with the club's leadership, which must prioritize intelligent recruitment and provide a balanced, competitive squad if Rangers are to reclaim their status as a dominant force in Scottish football.