Derek McInnes has urged the Rangers faithful to rally behind the team as they prepare for Sunday’s Old Firm encounter at Ibrox. The manager, who is about to experience his first derby as the club’s head coach, emphasized the importance of a vocal, supportive crowd in what promises to be a fiercely contested League Cup quarter‑final against Celtic. The atmosphere at Ibrox has already been tense after a recent league fixture against St Mirren, where the home side struggled to convert chances in the first half and ultimately had to rely on a late goal from substitute Bojan Miovski to secure a 1‑0 victory.
That win marked McInnes’s fourth successive triumph with the Rangers, but it also highlighted lingering nerves among supporters, particularly after a spate of missed opportunities that left the fans uneasy. Adding to the pressure, the Scottish authorities have mandated that only Rangers supporters be admitted to the 50,000‑seat stadium for the cup tie, a decision that stems from an ongoing dispute over ticket allocations between the two Glasgow giants. This restriction means the entire crowd will be composed of Rangers fans, magnifying the potential impact of their energy—positive or negative—on the players. Speaking to the media, the former Rangers midfielder turned manager said, "We have to bring the crowd with us.
You’re not going to dominate Celtic for the full ninety minutes; there will be periods where they have the upper hand and periods where we do. The key is to make sure the 50,000 in the stands are behind us, not against us.
Their support can make the game even tougher for Celtic." He continued, "If we can turn good play into good chances—something we missed against St Mirren and Motherwell—we’ll give the fans something to cheer for. When the crowd feels they’re part of the action, the strength of our club shines through." McInnes also addressed the broader context of the club’s recent frustrations. He noted that Celtic have been the dominant force in Scottish football for several seasons, collecting the majority of league titles and domestic trophies. "We respect that they are a quality side, but we want to re‑establish ourselves as a domestic contender.
Sunday’s match is a chance to take a step in that direction," he said. Beyond the immediate tactical considerations, the manager touched on a developing transfer story involving Rangers defender John Souttar.
The 29‑year‑old centre‑back, who signed a contract extension earlier in the year that runs until 2027 with an optional additional year, has reportedly fallen out of favour under McInnes. Souttar was omitted from the pre‑season training camp in Spain and has not featured in the early matches of the new campaign.
Greek club Aris Thessaloniki have entered negotiations to acquire Souttar, according to Sky Sports News. The Greek transfer window closes on Tuesday, and McInnes hinted that discussions are in their early stages. "I spoke with John this morning; he’s training. There is interest from one or two clubs—one might be a bit further down the line—but something could materialise in the next few days," he explained.
Returning to the Old Firm clash, McInnes stressed the psychological edge that a fully occupied Ibrox could provide. "If we can harness the energy of the 50,000 fans and combine it with a strong team performance, it will be very difficult for Celtic to cope. The frustration that has built up at the club over recent months needs to be turned into determination on the pitch," he asserted.
He also highlighted the tactical reality of derby football, acknowledging that the match will likely feature shifts in momentum. "We’ll have spells where we control the game and spells where Celtic will have theirs.
It’s part of the nature of this rivalry. What matters is that we stay resilient, keep the crowd engaged, and make sure we’re capitalising on our opportunities," McInnes added.
In summary, the Rangers manager is calling for a unified front: a supportive, noisy stadium that fuels the players, disciplined performances that translate chances into goals, and a clear focus on breaking Celtic’s recent dominance. With the cup quarter‑final offering a tangible opportunity to claim silverware, the stakes are high for both the team and its supporters.
The outcome of Sunday’s match could set the tone for the rest of the season, either reinforcing the narrative of a club in transition or signalling a resurgence of Rangers as a genuine title challenger. Fans are encouraged to attend, chant, and create an atmosphere that reflects the club’s ambition.
As the clock ticks down to kickoff, the message from McInnes is unmistakable: the 50,000‑strong Rangers faithful must become the eleventh player on the field, driving the team forward and making the Old Firm encounter a memorable step toward future success.