Derek McInnes has confirmed that Rangers are poised to be active in the closing stages of the summer transfer window following a hard‑won 1-0 triumph over Aberdeen, which delivered the club its first Scottish Premiership win of the campaign. The decisive moment came when Lawrence Shankland calmly slotted home a penalty in the second half at Pittodrie, a goal that not only lifted the team’s spirits but also eased some of the intense scrutiny on McInnes after a disappointing week that saw Rangers eliminated from European competition by Jablonec.
Despite the relief that the win provided, the Rangers manager made it clear that the club’s work is far from finished. "I think there will be more activity," McInnes told reporters when asked whether the club intended to add further players before the window shuts. He explained that the board is still looking to bolster the attacking line, especially after the recent injury to forward Youssef Chermiti. "He went down a few weeks ago and we have been working tirelessly to bring in an extra goal‑scorer up front.
We really could do without another striker. Hopefully we will have some positive news on that front before Wednesday." McInnes also addressed the uncertain future of Belgian midfielder Nico Raskin. While he hinted that the player might depart, he stressed that no formal bid had yet materialised.
"Nico might be one that moves on, but as I said yesterday, there have been no offers for him," the manager said. He added that the final days of the transfer window are typically the most frantic, with a flurry of negotiations and decisions.
"Once the window closes, we hope to be as strong as we want to be and as strong as we can be," McInnes said, noting that the period can be chaotic for players who are unsure of their status. "A lot of players in the dressing room don’t know if they are coming or going, and that’s just part of the job for a manager at this stage." The conversation shifted to the broader midfield situation when Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd weighed in. Boyd argued that Rangers still have a glaring weakness in the centre of the park, lacking a player who can effectively link midfield and attack.
"You have to ask yourself what is happening with recruitment," Boyd said. "If there are no bids for Nico Raskin, get him because he is by far the best midfielder available. They are still missing someone who can create and connect the midfield with the forward line." Boyd also criticized the size of Rangers’ squad, suggesting that the club is carrying too many players and needs to off‑load some before adding new faces.
"Rangers must have over 30 players; that’s not sustainable. They need to let five, six, seven go before the window closes," he asserted. He emphasized that the team needs reinforcement not only in attack but also in other areas, pointing to the lack of creativity and depth in the middle of the field.
The match at Pittodrie illustrated some of the issues Boyd highlighted. Rangers struggled to generate clear-cut chances for much of the game, relying ultimately on the penalty to break the deadlock. Their most promising chance came from a swift counter‑attack: Gassama surged forward, only for his effort to be blunted by a well‑timed challenge from Marius Müller, while Afeez Aremu raced back to clear a danger‑filled ball off the line. The lack of fluidity and decisive passing in the final third was evident, reinforcing the pundits' concerns about the need for a creative midfield presence.
In the midfield lineup, Raskin was omitted from the starting eleven, with Connor Devlin and Dan Neil preferred in the central roles. This decision sparked further debate about whether the club should retain Raskin or seek a replacement who can better serve the tactical demands of the manager. The uncertainty surrounding his future adds another layer of complexity to Rangers’ transfer strategy. Looking ahead, McInnes remains optimistic that the club will emerge from the window with a squad that can compete on multiple fronts.
He acknowledges the challenges of balancing player departures, incoming signings, and the need to maintain squad harmony. "We hope that once the deadline passes, we will have clarity for everyone involved," he said. "It’s a delicate process, but we are committed to strengthening the team where it matters most." Fans can expect further updates in the coming days as Rangers finalize their deals. The club’s hierarchy is reportedly monitoring several targets, both domestically and abroad, to address the attacking deficit and to add a versatile midfielder capable of linking play.
With the deadline looming, the next 48 hours are likely to be crucial for the Glasgow side as they aim to solidify their squad before the season progresses. In summary, Rangers have secured a vital win at Aberdeen, but the manager’s comments and pundit analysis suggest that the work is far from over. The club is actively seeking to replace the injured Chermiti, evaluate the situation with Nico Raskin, and possibly trim the squad to a more manageable size. As the transfer window draws to a close, the decisions made now will shape Rangers' prospects for the remainder of the season and beyond.