Derek McInnes has confirmed that Rangers are gearing up for a flurry of activity in the closing stages of this summer's transfer window, following a hard‑earned 1‑0 win over Aberdeen that finally delivered the club its first Scottish Premiership triumph of the campaign. The decisive moment came when Lawrence Shankland calmly converted a penalty in the second half at Pittodrie, a goal that not only lifted the team’s spirits but also eased some of the mounting pressure on McInnes after a turbulent week that saw Rangers eliminated from European competition by Czech side Jablonec. Despite the relief that the victory brought, the Rangers manager was quick to point out that the club’s work is far from finished.
"I think there will be more signings," McInnes told reporters when asked about the likelihood of additional arrivals before the window shuts. He emphasized that the squad still has gaps, particularly in the attacking third, and that the club is actively pursuing a replacement for forward Youssef Chermiti, who suffered a serious injury a few weeks ago. "We’ve been working tirelessly to bring in another goal‑scorer up front," McInnes explained. "We hope to have some positive news on that front before Wednesday." The manager also addressed the uncertain future of Belgian midfielder Nico Raskin.
While he acknowledged that Raskin could still depart, McInnes stressed that no formal bid has yet been submitted for the player. "Nico might be one that moves on, but as I said yesterday, there have been no offers for him," he said.
"The final days of the window are always the most frantic, and we expect things to accelerate as the deadline approaches." McInnes added that once the transfer period closes, he hopes the squad will be as strong as possible, both in depth and clarity of roles. "When the window shuts, we want to be as strong as we can be," he said. "Right now there’s a lot of uncertainty in the dressing room – players don’t know whether they’re staying or leaving – and that’s something any manager has to manage in these final days." The conversation shifted to the midfield, where Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd expressed concerns about Rangers’ ability to link the middle of the park with the attack.
Boyd argued that the team lacks a creative engine capable of bridging defense and offense. "You have to ask yourself what’s happening with recruitment," Boyd said.
"If there are no bids for Nico Raskin, you’re missing out on the best midfielder by a long shot. They still need someone who can connect the midfield and be creative." Boyd also highlighted the size of Rangers’ squad as a potential issue.
He suggested that the club is carrying too many players and should consider off‑loading a handful before making any further additions. "Rangers must have over 30 players; that’s not sustainable," he warned. "They need to let five, six, maybe seven players go before the window closes.
There are other areas beyond the forward line that need strengthening as well." The match at Pittodrie illustrated some of the on‑field challenges Rangers are currently facing. Even after Shankland’s penalty secured the win, the team struggled to create clear-cut chances throughout the game. Their most promising opportunity came from a swift counter‑attack in which Gassama surged forward, only for his effort to be blunted by Marius Müller and Afeez Aremu, who raced back to clear the ball off the line.
The lack of fluidity in the final third underscored the need for a proven striker who can convert chances without relying on a penalty. In the midfield, Raskin was left out of the starting eleven, with Connor Devlin and Dan Neil preferred in central roles.
This decision further fueled speculation about Raskin’s future and highlighted the manager’s dilemma of balancing squad rotation with the desire to field his strongest XI. Looking ahead, McInnes remains optimistic that the club can resolve its recruitment challenges before the deadline.
He hinted that negotiations are ongoing and that the coaching staff is monitoring several potential targets who could add depth and quality to the attack. "We’re still looking to replace Youssef," he reiterated, emphasizing the urgency of finding a forward who can consistently find the net. The broader context of Rangers’ transfer strategy also involves financial considerations.
The club must navigate wage budgets, potential sell‑on clauses, and the need to maintain a balanced squad composition. As the window draws to a close, every decision will be scrutinized by fans and pundits alike, with the expectation that any new arrivals will have an immediate impact on the team’s performance in the league and European competitions.
In summary, Derek McInnes has signaled that Rangers are not yet done with the transfer market. After a morale‑boosting win at Aberdeen, the focus now shifts to reinforcing the attacking line, clarifying the midfield situation, and possibly trimming the squad to a more manageable size.
The final days of the window are expected to be busy, and supporters will be watching closely for announcements that could shape the club’s fortunes for the remainder of the season.