Derek McInnes has made it clear that Rangers must "bring the crowd with us" as they head into the Old Firm cup tie at Ibrox on Sunday. The manager, who is preparing for his inaugural Old Firm encounter as head coach, believes the atmosphere created by the supporters could be a decisive factor in what is expected to be a tightly contested match against Celtic. The anxiety that has occasionally surfaced among the Light Blues faithful was evident on Wednesday night when Rangers struggled to convert chances in the second half of their Scottish Premiership fixture against St Mirren.
Despite creating a number of opportunities before the break, the home side were unable to find the net and found themselves under pressure as the game progressed. The tension was finally eased when substitute Bojan Miovski struck in stoppage time, securing a 1-0 victory and marking the fourth consecutive win for McInnes and his squad.
In the upcoming League Cup quarter‑final, authorities have decided that only Rangers supporters will be permitted inside the 50,000‑seat Ibrox stadium. The decision follows a heated dispute over ticket allocations between the two Glasgow giants, and it means that the entire crowd will be wearing the blue and white of the Gers on the day of the clash.
Speaking ahead of the match, the former Rangers midfielder turned manager expressed his optimism about the role the fans will play. "I think we've got to bring the crowd with us," he said.
"You're not going to dominate Celtic for the full ninety minutes. There will be periods when they have the upper hand and periods when we do.
That's just the nature of the game." McInnes stressed the importance of turning the stadium into a fortress. "It's vital that we tap into having that 50,000 behind us, that they back the players, give them encouragement and not add pressure on them. If we can make it as uncomfortable as possible for Celtic, it will give us a real advantage," he explained.
He added that Rangers must capitalise on any good play and chances that arise, something he felt the team had missed in the recent win over Motherwell, which also ended 1-0. The manager believes that if the team can get ahead early and provide the supporters with something to celebrate, the collective strength of the club will become evident. "If we can get a goal and let the crowd rally behind us, the momentum will shift in our favour.
The performance on the pitch combined with the energy from the stands can make us almost unstoppable," McInnes said. He also acknowledged the frustration that has built up among the Rangers faithful over the past few seasons.
"There's been a lot of disappointment and impatience at the club for a while now. It's up to us to show that we can deliver a different kind of football, one that brings back the joy and pride that our supporters deserve," he added.
Regarding Celtic, McInnes was respectful but realistic. "We recognise Celtic are a quality side. They've been the dominant force in Scottish football for several years and have collected more trophies than any other club recently.
Our aim is simply to give ourselves a realistic chance to compete for domestic silverware again, and this Sunday offers us a platform to take a step in that direction," he concluded. In other news surrounding Ibrox, Greek club Aris Thessaloniki have entered negotiations to acquire Rangers defender John Souttar. The 29‑year‑old centre‑back signed a new contract with Rangers earlier this year that runs until 2027, with an additional 12‑month extension option for the club. However, Sky Sports News reported that Souttar has been deemed surplus to requirements under the new management team.
Souttar was omitted from Rangers' pre‑season training camp in Spain and has not featured in any matches since McInnes took charge. The Greek transfer window is set to close on Tuesday, adding urgency to any potential deal. McInnes commented on the situation, saying, "I spoke to John this morning; he's been training. There's some interest from one or two clubs.
One might be a bit further down the line than the other, but it's something that could develop. I don't think anything is final yet, but we may see a move materialise in the next few days." Overall, the upcoming Old Firm cup tie represents a crucial test for McInnes' Rangers. The manager's emphasis on fan involvement, tactical discipline, and seizing scoring opportunities reflects his desire to re‑establish the club as a domestic powerhouse.
With a full house of Rangers supporters expected to fill Ibrox, the atmosphere could prove to be the extra edge needed to challenge Celtic and potentially secure a trophy that has eluded the Gers in recent years. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250k!
Enter for free.