Derek McInnes has confirmed that Rangers are poised to be active during the closing stages of this summer's transfer window, following a hard‑earned 1-0 win over Aberdeen that finally gave the club its first Scottish Premiership triumph of the campaign. The decisive goal came from Lawrence Shankland, who calmly converted a second‑half penalty at Pittodrie, easing the pressure on the manager after a turbulent week that saw the team eliminated from European competition by Jablonec. Despite the relief that the victory brought, McInnes made it clear that the club’s work in the market is far from finished.
He indicated that Rangers remain intent on bolstering their attacking options and that the situation surrounding Belgian midfielder Nico Raskin is still unresolved. "I think there will be," McInnes said when asked whether more signings were likely. "We’re still looking to replace Youssef Chermiti. It’s been a few weeks 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 a hole there, and we hope to have some good news before Wednesday." McInnes also addressed the speculation surrounding Raskin’s future. While he admitted the midfielder could still depart, he stressed that no formal offer had yet materialised. "Nico might be one that moves on, but as I said yesterday, there have been no bids for Nico," he explained.
"We all know how the final days of the window usually unfold – it’s the last couple of days when things really start moving. Once the window shuts, we hope to be as strong as we want to be and as strong as we can be." He added that the uncertainty surrounding player movements can create a confusing atmosphere within the dressing room. "It just creates a bit of up‑and‑down in terms of clarity.
A lot of players don’t know if they’re coming or going yet, and that’s just part of the job for a manager at this stage of the window," McInnes said. Rangers’ lack of activity has not gone unnoticed by pundits. Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd argued that the club’s midfield remains a weak spot, pointing out that they still lack a player capable of linking the centre of the park with the attacking line. "You keep asking yourself what’s happening with recruitment," Boyd said.
"If there have been no bids for Nico Raskin, you need to get him because he’s the best midfielder by a country mile. They’re still short of someone who can connect the midfield and be creative." Boyd also raised concerns about the size of Rangers’ squad, suggesting that the roster is now too large and that some players need to be offloaded before new arrivals can be accommodated. "Rangers must have over 30 players; that’s not sustainable.
They need to get five, six, seven out at least before the window closes," he warned. "There are other areas of the team that need strengthening besides the forward positions." The issues highlighted by Boyd were evident in the Aberdeen match. Although Rangers eventually broke the deadlock via Shankland’s penalty, they struggled to create clear-cut chances throughout the game. Their most promising moment came from a swift counter‑attack, with Gassama surging forward before a shot from Kim was blocked by Marius Muller, and Afeez Aremu racing back to clear the ball off the line.
The lack of fluidity in midfield and the absence of a true play‑maker were palpable, reinforcing the pundits’ arguments that the squad needs more creative depth. In the midfield, McInnes opted to leave Raskin on the bench, preferring the services of Connor Devlin and Dan Neil in the centre of the park.
This decision further underlined the manager’s uncertainty about the Belgian’s role and his possible exit. Looking ahead, Rangers are expected to make at least one forward signing before the deadline, with the aim of replacing the injured Chermiti and adding a proven goal‑scorer to the lineup.
The club’s scouting department is reportedly monitoring several candidates across Europe, ranging from emerging talents in the Dutch Eredivisie to seasoned strikers in the English Championship. The objective is to secure a player who can not only finish chances but also contribute to the overall attacking shape, providing the kind of versatility that McInnes has emphasized. On the midfield front, if no offer materialises for Raskin, the club may explore other options to fill the creative void.
Potential targets include a dynamic box‑to‑box midfielder from Belgium’s own league and a technically gifted play‑maker from the Scottish Championship who has impressed with his vision and passing range. Any new signing would need to adapt quickly, as the season is already underway and Rangers are competing on multiple fronts, including the domestic league, the Scottish Cup, and a potential return to European competition. The transfer deadline looms, and the atmosphere at Ibrox is one of cautious optimism. Fans are hopeful that the club’s management will act decisively to address the identified gaps, while also managing the squad size to maintain a balanced and harmonious environment.
As McInnes himself noted, the final days of the window are often when deals finally materialise, and Rangers hope to emerge from the period with a squad that is both deeper and more competitive. In summary, Rangers have secured a vital win at Aberdeen, but the manager acknowledges that the job is not yet done. The focus now shifts to the transfer market, where the club aims to replace injured forward Youssef Chermiti, possibly secure a new creative midfielder, and trim an oversized squad. With the window set to close in just a few days, all eyes will be on Ibrox to see whether the promised signings materialise and whether the team can finish the season stronger than it started.