Derek McInnes is keen for Rangers to "bring the crowd with us" as they prepare for the upcoming Old Firm cup tie at Ibrox on Sunday. The unease that has occasionally surfaced among the Light Blues faithful, especially during recent fixtures in Govan, re‑emerged on Wednesday night when the home side faltered in the second half of their Scottish Premiership encounter with St Mirren.
Despite creating several opportunities in the first half, Rangers were unable to convert, and the match seemed to slip away. The tension was finally eased when substitute Bojan Miovski struck in stoppage time, securing a vital 1‑0 victory and marking the fourth consecutive win for McInnes and his squad. For the League Cup quarter‑final against Celtic, the authorities have mandated that only Rangers supporters be admitted to the 50,000‑seat Ibrox stadium, following a dispute over ticket allocations between the two Glasgow powerhouses.
As a former Rangers midfielder stepping into his first Old Firm match as manager, McInnes is hoping to draw a positive response from the Gers fanbase. He explained, "We have to bring the crowd with us.
You won't dominate Celtic for the full 90 minutes; there will be periods when they have the upper hand and periods when we do. That's just the nature of the game. It's crucial that we tap into the energy of those 50,000 fans behind us, give the players our full backing, and make life as difficult as possible for Celtic." McInnes continued, "Our part is to play our game, and if we can turn good play into good chances—something we missed against St Mirren and also against Motherwell, where we also won 1‑0—we can get ahead, give the supporters something to rally behind, and demonstrate the strength of this club." He added that a full stadium can be a decisive factor: "If we can harness the power of 50,000 voices and combine that with a strong team performance, it will be very hard for Celtic to stop us.
The club has endured a lot of frustration over the past seasons, and it's up to us to show a different, more promising direction." Acknowledging Celtic's pedigree, McInnes said, "We know Celtic are a quality side, the dominant champions in recent years and the club with the most trophies in recent memory. Our aim is simply to give ourselves a realistic chance to be competitive again domestically, to win silverware, and Sunday offers us a step in that direction." Off the pitch, there are transfer rumours involving Rangers defender John Souttar.
The 29‑year‑old centre‑back signed a new contract with the club earlier this year that runs until 2027, with an option for an additional twelve months. However, Sky Sports News reported that Souttar has become surplus to requirements at Ibrox.
He was omitted from the pre‑season trip to Spain and has not featured under McInnes. Greek side Aris Thessaloniki have entered discussions to acquire Souttar, and the Greek transfer window closes on Tuesday.
McInnes commented on the situation, stating, "I spoke to John this morning; he trained. There is some interest from one or two clubs—one perhaps a little further down the line than the other—but it's something that could develop. It's not at a decisive stage yet, but we may see a move materialise in the next few days." The upcoming Old Firm clash is more than just a cup tie; it is an opportunity for McInnes to cement his philosophy, prove his tactical acumen, and, crucially, to win the hearts of the Rangers faithful.
The manager's emphasis on crowd involvement reflects a broader trend in modern football where the atmosphere created by supporters can influence momentum, intimidate opponents, and lift player confidence. With Ibrox set to be a sea of white, the expectation is that the noise and passion will translate into on‑field energy. Rangers' recent form under McInnes has been encouraging, with four straight victories suggesting a team beginning to find its rhythm.
Yet, the Old Firm rivalry brings an added layer of pressure. Historically, matches between Rangers and Celtic have been tightly contested, often decided by moments of brilliance or lapses in concentration. McInnes knows that to break Celtic's recent dominance, his side must be disciplined, seize chances, and maintain composure when the stakes are highest.
Beyond tactics, the manager highlighted the psychological aspect: "We need the crowd on our side, not behind us. When the supporters are behind you, you feel a responsibility to deliver. When they're against you, it can be a heavy burden.
So we want to make sure the 50,000 are cheering us on, making it as tough as possible for Celtic to execute their game plan." In summary, Derek McInnes is urging his players and the Rangers faithful to unite for the Old Firm cup encounter. He believes that a full, vocal stadium can tip the balance, that capitalising on chances will give fans something to celebrate, and that a strong performance can begin to shift the narrative of frustration that has lingered at Ibrox. Meanwhile, the possible departure of John Souttar adds another subplot to the week, as the club navigates both on‑field ambitions and off‑field roster decisions.
The stage is set for a dramatic showdown that could shape the trajectory of Rangers' season.