Rangers have now crossed the 100‑day threshold of Derek McInnes's tenure, and the period has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. The manager’s opening four fixtures produced no victories, and the campaign suffered a painful exit from Europe at the hands of Jablonec.
Yet, as the squad returns from the international break, the ambition is clear: to climb to the summit of the Scottish Premiership for the first time this season. This optimism stems from a refreshed roster and a streak of six straight wins, highlighted by back‑to‑back triumphs over their Old Firm rivals, which has reignited a feel‑good atmosphere at Ibrox. In this analysis we examine how a decisive summer transfer window laid the groundwork for this dramatic resurgence – a turnaround that McInnes knows must be sustained as the team prepares to face Kilmarnock on October 10.
Before diving into the specifics, it helps to view the broader context. For the second summer in a row Rangers brought in 14 new players, but the circumstances surrounding the two windows could not have been more distinct. To understand the current situation, we need to rewind twelve months. A new era had just begun at Ibrox with Russell Martin appointed head coach and the club overseen by CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell.
That fresh start quickly proved ill‑fated. Martin was dismissed after just 123 days, and Stewart and Thelwell soon followed. Of the fourteen signings approved under that regime, only four remain in the squad. Chairman Andrew Cavenagh later admitted that mistakes had been made, issued the so‑called “P45s” to departing staff, and adopted a more hands‑on approach.
Many assumed that Robbie Thelwell – listed as “head of recruitment” – was responsible for the signings, but his title does not reflect his true duties; he works within the scouting department. Fast‑forward a year, and the decision‑making team now includes CEO Jim Gillespie (who joined in March), outgoing technical director Dan Purdy, Paraag Marathe, and Gretar Steinsson of the 49ers, alongside Stig Inge Bjornebye, appointed performance director in June after a consultancy stint.
The recruitment philosophy has shifted dramatically. Rangers now evaluate not only a player’s technical attributes but also how they will integrate into the dressing‑room, their injury record, resale value and other long‑term considerations. These factors, previously overlooked, are now integral to every deal. Purdy identifies potential targets, Cavenagh and Gillespie sign off on contracts, and the entire process enjoys backing from the 49ers and, ultimately, the manager.
While any transfer campaign will produce both hits and misses, this time the club moved forward with a unified strategy. The initial goal was to bring in fewer players than the previous summer, but injuries and emerging opportunities pushed the total back up to fourteen. The leadership group defined the parameters: a clear playing model for domestic and European competition, and a mandate for the new recruitment team to find the right personnel – a method they also used in January when Tuur Rommens, Tochi Chukwuani and Ryan Naderi earned permanent contracts. McInnes, a veteran of the Scottish game, set the season’s objective: to reclaim domestic success.
The plan to break Celtic’s Premiership dominance did not involve mimicking the Old Firm’s possession‑based approach. Instead, Rangers emphasized physicality, pace, and a direct style, believing that to defeat Celtic they must play differently, not like them. The departure of captain James Tavernier, vice‑captain Jack Butland and other senior figures created a leadership vacuum. The club responded by injecting younger, energetic leaders and by reducing the overall age of the squad – a trend that began in earlier windows.
Chairman Cavenagh signalled willingness to spend on the right talent, but also insisted that signings should possess growth potential and future resale value. The transformation is evident in the numbers. The average age of the eleven that beat Celtic twice before the break was under 24, compared with Celtic’s average of around 27. That starting XI featured a new spine and six summer arrivals: goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, defender Olwethu Makhanya, midfield captain Dan Neil, James Penrice, wide‑man Minsu Kim and striker Kevin Kelsy.
In the League Cup quarter‑final, Rangers displayed a clear identity – robust, fast, and dominant in second‑ball battles – a style that was reaffirmed a week later at Parkhead, while Celtic appeared to be searching for answers. Both the January and summer windows have been guided by a coherent plan, resulting in a squad that blends speed, strength, ambition and the kind of talent that could attract interest from larger European leagues.
International recognition is also growing: thirteen players have been called up for their national teams during the current three‑week window, and twelve of those are 26 or younger, underscoring the youth‑focused direction. The current roster includes: Ivor Pandur (26), Dujon Sterling (26), Emmanuel Fernandez (24), Olwethu Makhanya (22), Minsu Kim (20), Nicolas Raskin (25), Dan Neil (24), James Penrice (27), Djeidi Gassama (23), Ryan Naderi (23), Kevin Kelsy (22) among others. Significant reforms to the recruitment process have already yielded early positives, but September is far from a guarantee of success.
Rangers must still overtake Celtic in the league and navigate a challenging fixture against Aberdeen to secure a place in the League Cup final, where they could meet Hearts or Hibs. Nevertheless, for the first time in years, after a busy transfer period and consecutive Old Firm victories, the team heads into autumn with a solid platform that could finally deliver the long‑awaited silverware.