Derek McInnes has made it clear that Rangers are preparing for a busy finish to the summer transfer window after finally breaking their league drought with a hard‑earned 1-0 win at Aberdeen. The decisive moment came when Lawrence Shankland calmly converted a penalty in the second half, a goal that not only secured three points at Pittodrie but also eased the intense scrutiny that had been hovering over McInnes following a bruising week in which Rangers were eliminated from European competition by Jablonec. Despite the relief that the win brought, the Rangers manager confirmed that the club’s work in the market is far from over.
"I think there will be," McInnes said when asked whether the club intends to add more players before the window shuts. He went on to explain that the squad is still missing a proven goal‑scorer to complement the existing attack.
"We’re still looking to replace Youssef Chermiti," he added. "He went down a few weeks ago, and we’ve been working very hard to bring in an extra goal‑threat up front. We could really do without one in. Hopefully we’ll have some good news on that before Wednesday." The manager also addressed the situation surrounding Belgian midfielder Nico Raskin.
While he admitted that the player could still depart, McInnes emphasized that no formal bid had been received for the 23‑year‑old. "Nico might be one that moves on, but as I said yesterday, there were no offers for him," he explained.
"We all know how the last part of the window works – it’s usually the final couple of days when things really start moving. I think once the window closes we’ll be as strong as we can be." McInnes highlighted the uncertainty that often grips a dressing room in the closing stages of a transfer period.
"A lot of players don’t know if they’re staying or going, and that’s just part of the job for a manager to navigate," he said, noting that clarity usually arrives only after the deadline has passed. Rangers’ midfield deficiencies were a focal point for Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd, who argued that the team remains short of a player who can effectively link the middle of the park with the attacking line.
"You’re asking yourself again what is going on with recruitment? If there have been no bids for Nico Raskin, get him because he’s the best midfielder by a country mile," Boyd asserted.
He added that the side still lacks a creative conduit capable of orchestrating play between midfield and attack. Boyd also raised concerns about the size of Rangers’ squad, suggesting that the club is carrying too many players and that some departures are necessary before any further arrivals can be accommodated. "Rangers must have over 30 players; it’s not sustainable. They need to get five, six, seven out at least before the window closes," he said.
"There are other areas of the team that need strengthening besides the forward positions." The match at Pittodrie illustrated some of the issues raised by Boyd. Rangers struggled to carve out clear-cut chances for much of the game, relying ultimately on a penalty to break the deadlock.
Their best opportunity before Shankland’s spot‑kick came from a swift counter‑attack in which Mohamed Gassama surged forward, only for his effort to be blunted by a well‑timed block from Marius Müller. Afeez Aremu then raced back to clear a dangerous ball off the line, underscoring the defensive work required to keep the opposition at bay.
In midfield, the decision to leave Raskin on the bench in favour of Connor Devlin and Dan Neil highlighted the manager’s willingness to experiment, but it also reinforced the criticism that the squad lacks a true linking midfielder. The lack of a creative spark was evident in the limited number of clear‑cut chances created, and it may become a focal point for the club’s recruitment strategy in the final days of the window.
Looking ahead, McInnes remains optimistic that the club will complete its business before the deadline. He expects that any remaining uncertainties will be resolved once the transfer market shuts, allowing the team to concentrate fully on the remainder of the season. "I think once the window shuts, we’ll be as strong as we want to be, and as strong as we can be," he concluded.
In summary, Rangers have secured a vital league win that eases immediate pressure on McInnes, but the manager has signalled that the club’s transfer activity is set to continue. The focus appears to be on adding a proven striker to replace the injured Youssef Chermiti and possibly securing a creative midfielder to bridge the gap between defence and attack.
With the deadline looming, the next few days will be crucial for Rangers as they aim to finalize a squad capable of competing on all fronts, while also managing the size of the roster and addressing the concerns raised by pundits about midfield creativity and overall squad balance.