Derek McInnes has admitted Rangers are “a long way away” from where he wants them to be, but insists he remains fully determined to drive the Ibrox side forward.
After crashing out of Europe on penalties against FK Jablonec, McInnes’ side face a crucial week with tough trips to Pittodrie and The Falkirk Stadium before hosting a capable Motherwell side at Ibrox.
Addressing the current slump, McInnes admitted that “none of us are doing our job well enough,” though he maintained that the squad’s commitment is not in question.
“I like to think I know what I’m doing as a manager. I’m a good manager and I back myself, but the players need a wee bit of help and support at the minute,” McInnes said.
“We’re a long way away from the Rangers team that I want us to be and the team that I intend us to be, but the players are working extremely hard.”
He added that off-field distractions have not helped: “There’s a lot of uncertainty at the minute. Once the transfer window closes, everything becomes a bit calmer. We’re not quite there. We’ve obviously missed big Youssef [Chermiti], the type of striker who can go and stretch teams.”
Despite the difficult start, McInnes remains confident in his long-term vision.
“I don’t expect us to be perfect at this stage. It’s not been the start we wanted, and I’m not the first Rangers manager to get off to a tough start, but we are determined to follow this job through. It’s the end result that counts, and I still believe we’re going to be a success here.”
Following Thursday’s European exit, McInnes bemoaned his team’s lack of tactical identity, noting their struggles to settle into a clear style, whether possession-based, direct, or counter-attacking.
“My teams have always had a clear identity.”
“I want us to try and be a team that puts more stress on opponents defensively, and I don’t think we are doing that at the minute. We’ve got good ball players, and I think we just need to relax a wee bit more in possession and be comfortable with what we’re trying to do.”
McInnes remains hopeful that further squad reinforcements will unlock the team’s potential before the deadline.
“It’s not as if we’re not capable, but I do think an extra one or two additions will help us become what we want to be. I want us to be a team that goes full press, but when you go full press and you’re aggressive, you’ve got to be really aggressive with that,picking up second balls, winning duels, turning the ball over, and really imposing yourself on the game.
“There are talented players here. You don’t get in the door at Rangers unless you’re a talented player.”
Aberdeen v Rangers
Pittodrie 12pm Sunday 30th August