Derek McInnes has confirmed that Rangers are gearing up for additional activity in the closing stages of this summer's transfer window, following a hard‑won 1‑0 triumph over Aberdeen that finally delivered the club its first league win of the campaign. The decisive moment came when Lawrence Shankland calmly slotted a second‑half penalty at Pittodrie, a result that eased some of the mounting pressure on McInnes after a tumultuous week that saw the team eliminated from European competition by Jablonec.
Despite the relief that the victory provided, the Rangers manager made it clear that the club’s work is far from finished. "I think there will be," McInnes told reporters when asked whether further signings were likely. He went on to explain that the board remains focused on bolstering the attacking line, especially after the recent injury to forward Youssef Chermiti. "It’s been a few weeks now since he went down, and we’ve been working very hard to bring in an extra goal‑scorer up front.
We could really do without one in. Hopefully we’ll have some good news on that before Wednesday," he added.
The conversation also turned to the uncertain future of Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin. While McInnes admitted that the player could still depart Rangers, he emphasized that no formal offers had materialised to date. "Nico might be one that moves on, but as I said yesterday, there were no bids in for Nico," he said.
"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 shuts, we’ll be as strong as we want to be, and as strong as we can be." He also highlighted the impact that transfer speculation can have on squad morale.
"It just creates a lot of uncertainty in the dressing room. A lot of players don’t know whether they’re coming or going, and that’s just part of the job for a manager to navigate in the final weeks," McInnes explained.
Rangers’ lack of activity has not gone unnoticed by pundits. Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd argued that the club’s biggest problem lies in the middle of the park, where they lack a player capable of linking midfield and attack. "You’re asking yourself again what is going on with recruitment? If there’s not been any bids for Nicolas Raskin, get him in your team because he’s the best midfielder by a country mile," Boyd asserted.
"They’re still shy of someone who can connect the midfield and be creative." Boyd also raised concerns about the size of the Rangers squad, suggesting that the club is carrying too many players and needs to trim numbers before adding more. "Rangers must have over 30 players; it’s not sustainable. They need to get five, six, seven out at least before the window closes. There are other areas of the team that need strengthening other than the forward areas," he said.
The issues raised by Boyd were evident during the Aberdeen match. Rangers struggled to create clear-cut chances, relying heavily on a solitary counter‑attack that saw Abdallah Sima (formerly Gassama) burst forward before his effort was blocked by Marius Müller and Afeez Aremu racing back to clear the danger. It was ultimately Shankland’s penalty that broke the deadlock, but the performance highlighted a lack of fluidity and creativity in the final third.
Looking ahead, McInnes indicated that the club will continue to monitor the market closely and act decisively once a suitable target emerges. He stressed that any new signing must address the specific deficiencies identified – namely, a proven goal‑scorer to replace Chermiti and a dynamic midfielder who can bridge the gap between defense and attack. "We’re not just looking for any player; we need someone who fits our style and can make an immediate impact," he said. In addition to the on‑field considerations, the manager also touched on the financial side of the transfer business.
He noted that Rangers are operating within a carefully managed budget and that any incoming deals will need to be financially responsible while still delivering value on the pitch. "We have to be smart with our resources. It’s about getting the right player for the right price, not just splashing cash for the sake of it," McInnes explained. As the deadline approaches, the atmosphere at Ibrox is one of cautious optimism.
Fans are eager to see the club reinforce its ranks and push for a stronger finish to the season, while the coaching staff remain focused on fine‑tuning tactics and maintaining morale amid the transfer speculation. The next few days will be crucial in shaping Rangers’ squad composition and determining whether they can close the window with a team capable of challenging for titles on multiple fronts. Overall, McInnes’ comments reflect a clear strategy: secure a reliable striker to replace the injured Chermiti, evaluate the best possible move for Raskin, and possibly off‑load surplus players to streamline the squad.
With the clock ticking, the next wave of signings could prove decisive in defining Rangers’ fortunes for the remainder of the campaign.