Derek McInnes has confirmed that Rangers are gearing up for additional activity in the closing stages of this summer's transfer window, following their hard‑earned 1-0 win over Aberdeen – the first league triumph of the campaign. The decisive goal came from Lawrence Shankland, who converted a penalty in the second half at Pittodrie, providing a much‑needed lift for a side that had endured a tough week, including an early exit from European competition at the hands of Jablonec. The victory eased some of the pressure on McInnes, but the manager made it clear that the club’s work is far from finished.
"I think there will be," he told reporters when asked whether Rangers would continue to add players. "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 another goal‑scoring option up front. We could certainly do without one in.
Hopefully we’ll have some good news on that before Wednesday." McInnes also addressed the situation surrounding Belgian midfielder Nico Raskin. While he acknowledged that the midfielder could still depart, he emphasized 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," the manager explained. "We all know how the final days of a window work – it’s usually the last couple of days when things really start to move.
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 contracts can create a confusing atmosphere 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 last phase of the market," McInnes said. Rangers’ midfield, however, continues to attract criticism from pundits.
Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd argued that the team remains short of a creative link between midfield and attack. "You keep asking yourself what’s happening with recruitment," Boyd said.
"If there have been no bids for Nicolas Raskin, you need to get him because he’s the best midfielder by a country mile. They’re still lacking someone who can connect the midfield and be creative." Boyd also raised concerns about the size of Rangers’ squad, suggesting that the club may be carrying too many players and that some should be allowed to leave before any further signings are made. "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 line." The tactical setup at Pittodrie illustrated some of the issues highlighted by the pundits.
Despite eventually breaking the deadlock through Shankland’s spot‑kick, Rangers struggled to create clear-cut chances throughout most of the match. Their most promising opportunity came from a quick counter‑attack: Gassama surged forward, only to see his effort blunted by Marius Müller, while Afeez Aremu raced back to clear a dangerous ball off the line.
The lack of fluidity in the final third underscored the need for an additional striker who can finish chances without relying on penalties. In midfield, the decision to leave Raskin on the bench in favour of Connor Devlin and Dan Neil was a talking point. While both Devlin and Neil offered work‑rate, the absence of a player with Raskin’s vision and passing range left Rangers looking slightly flat in the middle of the park.
This aligns with Boyd’s observation that the side lacks a true conduit between defence and attack. Looking ahead, McInnes hinted that the club expects to make at least one more signing before the deadline on 31 August.
The focus appears to be on bolstering the attacking line, with a particular emphasis on finding a striker who can contribute goals in open play, rather than relying on set‑piece situations. The manager also reiterated that any incoming player will need to fit into the team’s existing style, which emphasises quick transitions, high pressing, and a willingness to press from the front. Beyond the immediate transfer concerns, Rangers must also consider squad balance and wage structure. Carrying a roster of over 30 senior players can strain the wage budget and limit opportunities for younger talent to break through.
Offloading fringe players, either on loan or permanent deals, could free up resources and create room for new arrivals who can make an immediate impact. In summary, after a hard‑won win at Aberdeen that finally delivered the first Scottish Premiership points of the season, Derek McInnes is signalling that the club’s business is not yet done. The manager expects further activity in the transfer market, with a clear priority on adding firepower up front and possibly securing a creative midfielder if Raskin does not stay. Meanwhile, pundits like Kris Boyd continue to stress the importance of a balanced squad, urging Rangers to trim excess numbers and focus on quality over quantity.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Ibrox to see whether the club can finalise the deals needed to strengthen the team for the remainder of the campaign.