Derek McInnes has made it clear that Rangers must "bring the crowd with us" as they prepare for the upcoming Old Firm encounter at Ibrox on Sunday. The manager’s message comes after a recent display of anxiety among the Light Blues faithful, an unease that resurfaced during Wednesday night’s Scottish Premiership match against St Mirren.
In that game, Rangers struggled to find rhythm in the second half, missing several clear‑cut chances before the interval and allowing the tension among supporters to rise. The mood was finally lifted when substitute Bojan Miovski struck in stoppage time, securing a vital 1‑0 victory and marking the fourth consecutive win for McInnes’s side.
That triumph, however, did not erase the underlying concern about fan engagement, especially as the authorities have mandated that only Rangers supporters be admitted to the 50,000‑seat Ibrox for the League Cup quarter‑final against Celtic. The decision follows a contentious ticket‑allocation dispute between the two Glasgow giants, leaving many Celtic fans out of the stadium and placing the entire atmosphere squarely in the hands of the home crowd. Facing his first Old Firm match as manager, McInnes is keen to harness the energy of the Gers faithful and turn it into a tangible advantage on the pitch. He explained, "I think we've got to bring the crowd with us.
You're not going to play Celtic and dominate the game for 90 minutes. We'll have spells, they'll have spells, it's just the way it is.
I think it's important that we tap into having that 50,000 behind us and be behind the players, support them, have their backs, not be on their backs and really make it as tough for Celtic as possible." McInnes emphasized that the supporters’ role is not merely decorative; it is a strategic component that can influence the flow of the match. "We've got our part to play in that and I felt that if we can capitalise on good play and good opportunities, which we didn't do last night and we didn't do against Motherwell (also won 1‑0), obviously, if we can get ourselves in front, give the crowd something to get behind, then I think the strength of our club can be shown," he said. In his view, a vocal, unified crowd can lift the team’s confidence and create a hostile environment for the visitors, making it harder for Celtic to settle into their rhythm.
He added, "I think if the 50,000 can be utilised and we can have the strength of performance in the team that will help the team, it will be difficult to stop. There's been a lot of frustration over a period of time at the club and it's up to us to try and show that we're going to deliver something a bit different.
We recognise Celtic are a good team who have been the main title winners and the team that's picked up more trophies than any other club in recent years. We just want to make sure that we give ourselves a chance to be relevant domestically again in terms of winning trophies, and Sunday gives us a chance to take a step towards that." Beyond the immediate tactical considerations, there are off‑field developments that could affect Rangers’ squad depth. Greek side Aris Thessaloniki have entered negotiations to acquire defender John Souttar.
The 29‑year‑old centre‑back signed a new contract with Rangers earlier this year, extending his stay until 2027 with an optional additional year. Despite the long‑term deal, recent reports from Sky Sports News suggest that Souttar has become surplus to requirements at Ibrox. He was omitted from the pre‑season training camp in Spain and has not featured under McInnes since the manager took charge.
The Greek transfer window remains open until Tuesday, and McInnes offered a brief update on the situation: "I spoke to John this morning, he trained. There's a bit of interest in him from one or two clubs.
One club maybe a bit further down the line than the other but I think it's something that could develop. I don't think it's at that stage yet but maybe something will happen over the next two or three days." This potential departure adds another layer of uncertainty for the Rangers defense ahead of the high‑stakes cup tie. The Old Firm rivalry, steeped in history and passion, is more than a regular league fixture; it is a cultural event that can define a season.
For Rangers, the upcoming League Cup quarter‑final offers a chance to break a period of perceived stagnation and re‑establish themselves as a trophy‑winning force. McInnes’s insistence on rallying the 50,000 supporters underscores his belief that collective energy can translate into collective success. Whether the fans will rise to the occasion and whether the team can convert that atmosphere into decisive moments on the field remains to be seen, but the stakes are unmistakably high. The match promises not only a battle for progression in the cup but also a statement of intent from a club eager to reclaim its domestic prominence.