Derek McInnes has expressed his understanding that securing trophies is paramount to his survival as the manager of Rangers Football Club. He acknowledges the pressure to bring silverware to Ibrox, a task that has eluded many of his predecessors.
The upcoming Premier Sports Cup quarter-final match against Celtic presents an immediate opportunity for McInnes to advance the club towards a trophy. Rangers last won the League Cup in the 2023-24 season, a significant period after their previous victory in that competition.
Over the past 15 years, Rangers have experienced limited success, winning each domestic honor only once. This lack of consistent achievement has led to a high turnover of managers, with McInnes being the tenth permanent appointment in that timeframe. He recognizes his responsibility to alter this pattern of underachievement.
"We need to be more relevant domestically as a club. We haven't been," McInnes stated. "We've had sporadic cup wins and one league title. I understand the nature of the business and we all sign up for it. When we come here, we all have the responsibility, players, staff alike, that we're here to deliver silverware and if we don't, we won't be here long."
McInnes views the upcoming match as a crucial opportunity to move closer to securing a trophy, stating, "For me, it's something we have to try and grasp and work towards and not be daunted by. Working for Rangers gives you great opportunities and we see this as a brilliant opportunity on Sunday to take a step closer to silverware."
The manager also addressed the historical difficulty his predecessors have faced in overcoming Celtic, noting the added scrutiny that comes with derby matches. "Yes, I think it's the same in any derby," he said. "I had the same conversation last season at Hearts where Hearts managers don't really normally survive if they can't win derbies. I think it's just the same. Obviously, this is a bigger fixture and the spotlight is on it."
He emphasized that while winning derby matches can build credit, it does not guarantee success. "If you can win these games, you've still got two cup ties to win a trophy, so it doesn't guarantee anything. But I do think it gives you a bit of credit in the bank. Obviously, if you don't win them then there's just a bit more scrutiny on you. But listen, I know what I signed up for. I know the job requires you to be the best team in Glasgow, to be the best team in Scotland and hopefully we can do that."
Recent cup ties between Rangers and Celtic have been closely contested, with two of the last three encounters being decided by penalty shootouts, both won by Celtic. McInnes indicated that while his team aims to win in normal time, preparedness for all eventualities, including penalties, is professional. "I think if you're playing a certain cup tie and you're strong favourites then you wouldn't want to send that message out to your players that this might go to penalties. In this kind of game, where there are two strong teams and it might be a tight game then I think it's certainly professional to do it."