Derek McInnes, the new manager of Rangers Football Club, has urged caution regarding immediate success, stating that "no one is going to give us a title." He emphasized that winning requires hard work and commitment from the players, rather than relying solely on the club's prestige or fan support.
McInnes, who takes over as the sixth manager in as many seasons, acknowledged the high expectations at Ibrox. He aims to galvanize the team by reminding them of the pain of last season's underachievement and fostering a sense of discomfort with not winning. "You shouldn’t be comfortable at Rangers if you’re not winning," he said.
His appointment follows a period of significant turmoil and a lack of palpable success for the club. McInnes, who previously managed at St Johnstone, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock, and Hearts, is known for maximizing player potential. His history as a Rangers player in the 1990s and his upbringing as a supporter are seen as assets, providing him with an understanding of the club's demands.
He is determined to stop the recent churn of management and deliver success, stating, "I know what needs to be done. I am determined to do that. I do not want to let anyone down." McInnes is not promising an immediate title but is committed to working towards that goal as quickly as possible.
Despite the club's efforts to bolster the squad, including the recent addition of South African defender Olwethu Makhanya alongside players like Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin, and Dan Neil, McInnes acknowledges the rebuild is ongoing. He noted that "a lot of teams are not fully equipped at this stage in terms of all the recruitment" and that his squad is "still a good bit short in terms of what we want to do." However, he stressed that he would not offer excuses.
McInnes highlighted the advantage Dundee United has in having played more competitive games, but maintained that Rangers possess the resources to achieve a positive result. He is focused on the fitness of his current squad and ensuring they are ready for the opening match, reiterating that "there’s no excuse if we don’t win."