Rangers manager Derek McInnes has called on his team to embrace risk and increased tempo when they face Jagiellonia Bialystok in a crucial Europa League qualifier, emphasizing the need for a victory to lift spirits amid a difficult start to the season. The club trails Celtic by five points in the domestic league after two matches and is looking to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg against the Polish side.
McInnes, in only his third game in charge, is grappling with a mounting injury list that includes key players. Striker Youssef Chermiti is unlikely to play again this season after suffering an ACL injury, requiring surgery, and midfielder Tuur Rommens is expected to be out for up to eight weeks with a groin strain. These setbacks have compounded the pressure on the new manager, who has yet to secure his first win and faces fan skepticism regarding the club's recruitment strategy.
"We need to play with a bit more risk," McInnes stated. "I thought we were a bit too safe last week for my liking. We need to force the issue and play with a bit more tempo. It's a balance between attacking and defending, but you have to play with a bit of risk."
Despite the challenging circumstances, McInnes stressed his role in maintaining team morale. "It is my job to keep the spirits up. It is the players' job to keep themselves going. We are going to be playing a European game in front of 50,000," he said. "We understand that it is not always going to be sunshine and rainbows. I got the job for a reason. There are a lot of changes to be made and a lot of turnaround in the squad."
The team's on-field performance has also drawn criticism, with some questioning team selections and the overall quality and depth of the squad. Concerns have been raised about players being played out of their natural positions, such as Vanja Dragojevic at right-back, and the lack of attacking threat from wide areas. Reports suggest the club is pursuing loan options, including Brentford's Jayden Meghoma, to address the void left by Rommens.
McInnes acknowledged the difficulties but remains focused on the task at hand. "We have work to do, but I think the tie is finely poised. I thought we were decent in Poland for long spells," he noted. "We have got to understand that, as I said last week, we played a part in our own downfall with the goal against us. If we can tighten up on that side, I feel we have got the game and performance in us to get through the tie."
He added that a victory against Jagiellonia would provide a much-needed boost for both the players and the supporters. "If we had won on Sunday, it doesn't mean everything would be rosy in the garden. But we could all be doing with a win. Supporters could do with it and players could do with it. There is nothing better than getting that encouragement and confidence into the supporters by getting a win."
McInnes believes his team has the capacity to progress if they can eliminate defensive errors and play with greater urgency. "We have 90 minutes to win the game and get through the tie. We need to be measured and confident in our work, but also understand the urgency, tempo, bigger passes and greater risk needed to win the game and get through the tie," he concluded.
The upcoming match at Ibrox is seen as a pivotal moment that could define the early stages of McInnes's tenure and provide a much-needed lift for the club. The manager is looking for his side to be bold and play with a sense of freedom, encouraging more attacking play and increased presence in the opponent's box.