Derek McInnes, appointed as Rangers manager with the expectation of restoring organization and discipline, is facing a crisis just four games into the season. Observers had initially tipped Rangers as league title favorites, with McInnes seen as a sensible appointment who understood the club's pressures and had made promising signings like Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin from Hearts.
However, the team's performance has quickly unraveled. Following an early elimination from the Europa League, Rangers have drawn one match and lost another in the Premiership. McInnes has repeatedly cited the need for further quality additions, but the club has already made nine new signings over the summer. Five of these new players started in the recent Europa League exit, with three more featuring as second-half substitutes. This suggests that the current squad largely reflects McInnes's choices.
Despite McInnes's explanations regarding squad imbalances and a lack of cover in certain positions, the manager is facing significant responsibility for the team's poor start. His tactical decisions, including a shift to a back four at halftime during the Europa League second leg against Jagiellonia Bialystok, have been criticized as disastrous, with the team becoming disorganized in the second half. The club's exit from the Europa League against a seemingly lesser opponent has been compared unfavorably to past European defeats.
The pressure is mounting, with a portion of the fanbase already expressing dissatisfaction. The upcoming League Cup tie against St. Mirren is seen as a crucial match for McInnes. A defeat at home could push him past a point of no return, given the team's winless streak and the vocal criticism. The club also faces Europa Conference League qualifiers against Czech side Jablonec, with the first leg scheduled for Ibrox. The early part of the season has become a critical juncture for McInnes's tenure.
Mcinnes looks on in despair as Rangers crash out of the Europa League
Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland is dejected as the Ibrox men flopped against Jagiellonia
