Derek McInnes has confirmed that Rangers are gearing up for a flurry of activity in the closing stages of the summer transfer window, a statement that comes on the back of a hard‑won 1‑0 triumph over Aberdeen – their first league win of the campaign. The decisive moment arrived when Lawrence Shankland calmly slotted a second‑half penalty at Pittodrie, a result that eased some of the mounting pressure on McInnes after a turbulent week that saw the club bow out of European competition at the hands of Jablonec.
Despite the relief that the victory brought, the Rangers manager was quick to point out that the job is far from finished. "I think there will be," McInnes told reporters when asked whether the club would pursue additional signings before the window shuts.
He added that the squad is still lacking a proven goal‑scorer to replace the departed Youssef Chermiti, who suffered a serious injury a few weeks ago. "We've been working really hard to bring in an extra goal‑getter up front.
We could really do without one in. Hopefully, we've got some good news on that ahead of Wednesday," he said. The manager also addressed the uncertain future of Belgian midfielder Nico Raskin. While he reiterated that no formal offer had yet been received for the player, McInnes admitted that a departure is still a possibility.
"Nico might be one that moves on. But I don't – as I said yesterday, there were no bids in for Nico," he explained. He went on to describe the typical pattern of activity that characterises the final days of the transfer period, noting that most deals tend to materialise in the last couple of days. "I think once the window shuts, we hope we're as strong as we want to be, and as strong as we can be," McInnes added.
"It just calms up and down in terms of clarity. A lot of players in the dressing room don't know if they're coming or going yet, and that's just the way it is for managers to try and navigate that last part." Rangers’ midfield situation has also come under scrutiny from Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd, who argued that the team remains thin in the area that links the midfield to the attack.
"You're asking yourself again what is going on with recruitment?" Boyd asked. "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. I think they're still shy of someone who can connect the midfield and be creative," he asserted.
Boyd further criticised the size of Rangers' squad, suggesting that the club is carrying too many players and that some need to be let go before any new arrivals are added. "Rangers must have over 30 players; it's not sustainable," he said. "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." The concerns about squad depth and balance were evident in the Aberdeen match, where Rangers struggled to carve out clear-cut chances despite eventually breaking the deadlock via Shankland's spot‑kick. The most promising opportunity before the penalty came from a swift counter‑attack that saw Gassama surge forward, only for his effort to be blunted by Marius Müller and Afeez Aremu, who raced back to clear the danger. The lack of fluidity in midfield, as highlighted by Boyd, was palpable; Connor Devlin and Dan Neil were preferred in the centre of the park, leaving Raskin on the bench.
Looking ahead, McInnes has signalled that the club will continue to assess its options and aim to finalize any deals before the deadline on 31 August. The primary target appears to be a striker who can provide a reliable source of goals, complementing the existing attacking options and alleviating the burden on Shankland and the creative midfielders. At the same time, the coaching staff will monitor interest in Raskin, weighing the potential financial return against the impact of losing a versatile playmaker.
In the broader context of the Scottish Premiership, Rangers' recent form has been mixed, and the pressure to secure a strong finish to the transfer window is amplified by the need to keep pace with domestic rivals. The club’s hierarchy is expected to allocate resources judiciously, balancing the desire for immediate reinforcement with long‑term squad planning.
As the deadline approaches, fans can anticipate a series of announcements, rumors, and perhaps a few last‑minute signings that could reshape the team's dynamics for the remainder of the season. Overall, while the win at Aberdeen offers a modest boost, the underlying message from McInnes and the punditry is clear: Rangers are not content to sit idle.
They are actively seeking to plug gaps, especially in attack and midfield creativity, and are prepared to make decisive moves before the transfer window shuts, ensuring the squad is as competitive as possible for the challenges ahead.