Rangers manager Derek McInnes has pledged that his team will deliver by the end of the season, despite a 2-1 home defeat to Hibernian that has amplified fan frustration. The loss at Ibrox followed an earlier draw in the Premiership and a Europa League defeat, leaving the team five points adrift of leaders Celtic and St. Mirren.
Disgruntled supporters booed the team off the field at full-time, a reaction McInnes understands given the club's extended period without significant success. "I'm not asking for more time," McInnes stated. "I understand the frustration. I share the frustration. It's 15 years of frustration here at this club. Nobody knows that more than me."
McInnes acknowledged that the team's performance against Hibernian was not as strong as he would have liked, describing the first half as "pedestrian" and "reluctant." However, he felt the team's performance improved in the final half-hour, with increased attacking intent and more balls into the box.
The manager also expressed his disappointment with the VAR-awarded penalty that gave Hibernian the lead. "I thought the decision to give a penalty kick was wrong," he said. "Having seen it back again, I think it's so soft, so harsh on us."
Rangers striker Youssef Chermiti was stretchered off in the first half with a knee injury, and McInnes is awaiting the results of a scan to determine its severity. The club has reportedly already rejected a £22 million bid from Galatasaray for the forward.
Other transfer speculation surrounds the club, with Corum FK reportedly interested in Mohamed Diomande. Rangers are also pursuing Dutch winger Couhaib Driouech from PSV Eindhoven and monitoring AEK Athens full-back James Penrice.