Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday has stepped forward to defend 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 struggles does not rest solely on McInnes but also on deeper structural issues 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 a winning formula, searching for the right combination of players he trusts, and deciding whether the solution lies in personnel changes or tactical adjustments.
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 hampers any manager's ability to produce immediate success. The pressure on McInnes has intensified after Rangers extended their winless streak to four games, a run that culminated in a disappointing exit from the Europa League at the hands of Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok.
Fans have expressed frustration over the team's inability to secure victories, and criticism has been directed at both the manager and the club's recruitment strategy. Despite the negative sentiment, Halliday maintained that the manager is still scratching the surface of a solution and that the broader issues stem from the club's hierarchy. Halliday pointed to the summer transfer window as a key area of concern. Rangers completed nine new signings during the offseason, yet a high-profile deal for PSV winger Couhaib Driouech, reportedly worth £6.5 million, fell through after the player suffered an injury during his medical examination.
The failed transfer added to the perception that the club's recruitment department is not delivering the quality needed to compete at the highest level. Chairman Andrew Cavenagh has publicly defended the recruitment process, stating at a recent shareholder Q&A that the squad is stronger than it was twelve months ago.
However, Halliday countered this narrative by describing the recruitment approach as a "gross level of mismanagement." He highlighted the sheer volume of signings—27 players in a twelve‑month period—as evidence that the club has made numerous poor decisions. Halliday argued that the influx of new faces has not resulted in a balanced or upgraded squad. For example, he noted that the team has only one left‑back, three centre‑backs, two wingers, and a host of central midfielders who all share a similar playing profile, limiting tactical flexibility.
According to Halliday, the club's failure to bring in players who represent an immediate upgrade is a significant factor behind the current struggles. He warned that without such improvements, the season is likely to be protracted and fraught with difficulty. "They need an upgrade, and I think it's hard to say they've done that," he said, underscoring his belief that the recruitment strategy has not delivered the necessary quality. Beyond the immediate tactical and personnel concerns, Halliday's comments raise broader questions about the governance and strategic direction of Rangers Football Club.
The club's leadership must reconcile the ambition to compete for domestic titles and European qualification with the practical realities of squad composition, financial constraints, and the need for a clear footballing philosophy. Halliday's remarks suggest that the current disconnect between the board's vision and the on‑field execution is creating a challenging environment for any manager, especially one as newly appointed as McInnes. In summary, while Derek McInnes is under considerable scrutiny after a series of poor results, former player Andy Halliday believes the manager is doing everything possible given the resources at hand. The real issue, according to Halliday, lies in the club's recruitment policies and the overarching mismanagement that has led to an unbalanced squad lacking in crucial attributes such as speed, creativity, and leadership on the pitch.
As the season progresses, both the manager and the club's hierarchy will need to address these systemic problems if Rangers hope to return to their traditional status as a dominant force in Scottish football.