Derek McInnes is urging the Rangers faithful to become an active part of the team’s performance in the upcoming Old Firm cup tie at Ibrox on Sunday. The manager believes that the atmosphere created by a full house can be a decisive factor when the club faces its fiercest rivals, Celtic, in a high‑stakes League Cup quarter‑final.
The need for a vocal crowd was highlighted after the recent Scottish Premiership encounter with St Mirren, where Rangers appeared uneasy in the second half. Despite creating numerous opportunities in the first period, the team faltered after the break, allowing the Light Blues to press forward.
The tension among the supporters was palpable, and the anxiety that had been building in some sections of the Govan fan base resurfaced on Wednesday night. The match was eventually salvaged when substitute Bojan Miovski struck in stoppage time, securing a narrow 1‑0 victory and delivering the club’s fourth consecutive win under McInnes. For the cup tie, authorities have mandated that only Rangers supporters be admitted to the 50,000‑seat Ibrox stadium, a decision that stems from a lingering dispute over ticket allocations between the two Glasgow giants.
This restriction means the home side will enjoy an exclusive, packed arena, a scenario McInnes hopes to exploit fully. He told the press, "We have to bring the crowd with us. You cannot dominate Celtic for the full ninety minutes; there will be periods when they have the edge and periods when we do. The key is to harness the energy of 50,000 fans behind us, to back the players, not to pressure them, and to make it as uncomfortable as possible for Celtic." McInnes elaborated on his tactical philosophy, stressing that the team must capitalize on chances and maintain a proactive stance.
"If we can turn good play into good opportunities—something we missed against St Mirren and Motherwell, both of which we also won 1‑0—we will give the supporters something to rally around," he said. "When the crowd feels involved, the strength of the club becomes evident on the pitch." He added that a cohesive performance combined with a roaring stadium could make the Rangers nearly impossible to beat.
"There has been a lot of frustration at the club over a period of time," McInnes noted. "It is up to us to demonstrate that we can deliver a different kind of football, one that brings results and excitement." Acknowledging Celtic’s pedigree, McInnes praised the opposition as a side that has dominated the domestic scene in recent years, collecting more trophies than any other Scottish club. "We respect that they are a strong team and the main title contenders," he said.
"Our aim is simply to give ourselves a realistic chance to be competitive again in Scotland and to start moving toward that goal on Sunday." Off the pitch, Rangers are also dealing with transfer speculation involving defender John Souttar. The 29‑year‑old Scotland international recently extended his contract with the club until 2027, with an option for an additional year. However, reports from Sky Sports News indicate that Souttar has fallen out of favour under the new management. He was omitted from the pre‑season training camp in Spain and has not featured in any matchday squads since McInnes took charge.
Greek side Aris Thessaloniki have entered discussions to acquire Souttar, with the Greek transfer window set to close on Tuesday. McInnes addressed the situation, saying, "I spoke to John this morning; he trained with us. There is interest from one or two clubs—one perhaps a little further down the line than the other—but something could develop.
It isn’t final yet, but we may see a move materialise in the next few days." The manager’s comments reflect a broader strategy of reshaping the squad to align with his vision for a more dynamic, attacking side. By potentially off‑loading players who are not in the manager’s plans, McInnes hopes to free up wages and create space for new signings that can add depth and competition. Returning to the cup match, the atmosphere at Ibrox is expected to be electric. With the stadium filled exclusively with Rangers supporters, the club hopes to turn the venue into a fortress.
McInnes believes that a unified, vocal crowd can lift the players’ morale, intimidate the opposition, and influence the referee’s perception of the game’s tempo. "When the 50,000 are behind you, it becomes a massive psychological advantage," he explained. "The players feed off that energy, and it can translate into sharper focus, quicker transitions, and a higher work rate." The Old Firm rivalry, steeped in history and passion, often produces matches where fine margins decide the outcome.
McInnes is aware that his team must be disciplined defensively while exploiting any attacking openings. He emphasised the importance of staying compact, pressing intelligently, and using set‑pieces as a weapon.
"We have to be ready for their spells and make sure we have ours," he said. "If we can keep the pressure on them and stay organized at the back, the crowd will feel confident, and that confidence will reverberate through the entire side." In summary, Derek McInnes is calling for a collective effort from the players, coaching staff, and especially the supporters, to make the most of the unique situation at Ibrox.
By turning the stadium into a sea of red and white chants, the Rangers hope to create a hostile environment for Celtic, seize the initiative early, and ultimately progress to the semi‑finals of the League Cup. The match promises to be a defining moment for McInnes’s tenure, offering a chance to demonstrate that his approach can restore Rangers to a position of domestic relevance and set the tone for the remainder of the season.