Rangers have now crossed the 100‑day threshold under Derek McInnes, and the period has felt like a roller‑coaster for the club and its supporters. The manager’s opening four fixtures yielded no victories, and the early exit from Europe at the hands of Jablonec added a sting of humiliation. Yet, as the squad reconvenes after the international break, the ambition is crystal clear: to climb to the summit of the Scottish Premiership for the first time this campaign. That optimism stems largely from a rejuvenated playing group and a remarkable run of six straight wins, which notably includes back‑to‑back triumphs in the Old Firm derbies.
The atmosphere at Ibrox has shifted back to a feel‑good vibe, and fans are beginning to believe that the club is on the right trajectory. In this analysis we will dissect how the summer transfer window acted as a catalyst for this resurgence, and why McInnes knows the job is far from finished as Rangers prepare to face Kilmarnock on October 10. First, it helps to step back and view the broader context.
This was the second summer in a row that Rangers brought in fourteen new faces, yet the two windows could not have been more distinct. To understand why, we must rewind twelve months to a period that promised a fresh start. Russell Martin was installed as head coach, while the board was overseen by CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell.
That optimism proved fleeting; Martin was dismissed after just 123 days, and Stewart and Thelwell soon followed suit. Of the fourteen signings made under that regime, only four remain on the roster today. Chairman Andrew Cavenagh later admitted that the previous approach contained serious flaws and, after issuing the so‑called "P45s" to departing staff, he assumed a more hands‑on role in shaping the club’s future.
Many observers initially blamed Robbie Thelwell—who holds the title of head of recruitment—for the flawed signings. In reality, his title does not reflect his true responsibilities; he operates within the scouting department rather than directing transfer policy. The real architects of the current strategy are a new cohort of executives: CEO Jim Gillespie, who joined in March; the outgoing technical director Dan Purdy; Paraag Marathe; former 49ers director Gretar Steinsson; and former professional player Stig Inge Bjørnebye, appointed performance director in June after a consultancy stint.
These leaders have broadened the criteria used to evaluate potential arrivals. Beyond pure footballing ability, they now weigh factors such as dressing‑room chemistry, injury history, resale value and long‑term development potential. This holistic approach was missing in previous years, and it now forms the backbone of Rangers’ recruitment model.
Purdy identifies the shortlist, Cavenagh and Gillespie sign off on the deals, and the 49ers’ ownership provides the financial backing, all while keeping the manager fully informed. The club entered the window with a modest target: to bring in fewer players than the previous summer.
However, injuries and opportunistic signings pushed the total back up to fourteen. The leadership group defined the tactical blueprint for both domestic and European competition, and the recruitment team executed it, much as they did in January when Tuur Rommens, Tochi Chukwuani and Ryan Naderi earned permanent contracts. McInnes, a veteran of the Scottish game, set the season’s primary objective: to reclaim domestic glory. To break Celtic’s stranglehold on the Premiership, Rangers deliberately rejected a copy‑cat, possession‑based style.
Instead, they emphasized physicality, pace and a direct approach, believing that to defeat Celtic they must play differently, not like them. The departure of long‑standing leaders such as captain James Tavernier and vice‑captain Jack Butland created a leadership vacuum, prompting the club to inject younger, hungry players who could also appreciate a future resale market.
Financially, chairman Cavenagh signalled a willingness to spend on the right talent, yet he also demanded that each signing possess growth potential that could benefit the club’s balance sheet. This dual‑focus checklist could not be resolved in a single window; it is a multi‑year plan.
Early indicators are promising. The average age of the side that beat Celtic twice before the break was under 24, compared with Celtic’s squad, which hovered around 27. The starting eleven in those victories featured a new spine and six summer arrivals: goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, defender Olwethu Makhanya, midfield captain Dan Neil, James Penrice, winger Minsu Kim and striker Kevin Kelsy. In the League Cup quarter‑final at Ibrox, Rangers displayed a clear identity: robust, fast, and dominant in the battle for second balls.
That performance was mirrored a week later at Parkhead, where Celtic appeared to be scrambling for answers that never materialised. Both the January and summer windows have been guided by a coherent plan, producing a squad that combines speed, physicality, ambition and the capacity to attract interest from larger European leagues. International recognition is also on the rise.
Thirteen members of the squad have been called up for their national teams during the current three‑week window, and twelve of those are 26 or younger—a testament to the youthful shift at Ibrox. The list 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) and others. Significant reforms to the recruitment process have already borne fruit, but September is far from the season’s conclusion. Rangers still need to overtake Celtic in the league and navigate a demanding 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 many years, after a busy transfer window and consecutive Old Firm victories, the club heads into autumn with a solid platform that could finally deliver the success its supporters have long awaited.