Rangers manager Derek McInnes says the club expects to be active in the closing days of the transfer window after finally claiming their first Scottish Premiership victory of the season.
Lawrence Shankland’s second-half penalty earned Rangers a 1-0 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie, a result which eased some of the pressure on McInnes following a difficult week that included European elimination by Jablonec.
However, Rangers are still working to strengthen their attacking options, while midfielder Nico Raskin’s future remains uncertain. McInnes indicated that more arrivals could follow before the window closes.
“I think there will be,” McInnes said when asked if Rangers would make more signings.
The manager confirmed the club are still seeking a replacement for Youssef Chermiti, who has been absent since suffering an injury several weeks ago.
“I still think we’re looking to replace Youssef [Chermiti]. It’s a few weeks ago now, he went down, and we’ve been working really hard to try and bring in an added goal at the top end of the pitch.
“We could really do without one in. Hopefully, we’ve got some good news on that ahead of Wednesday.”
McInnes also acknowledged that Raskin could leave Rangers before the deadline, although he stressed that the club had not received a formal offer for the midfielder.
“Nico might be one that moves on. But I don’t – as I said yesterday, there were no bids in for Nico,” he said.
“But we all know how the last part of the window happens. It’s normally the last couple of days that things really motor.
“I think once the window shuts, we hopefully we’re as strong as we want to be, and as strong as we can be,” he added.
“It just calms up and down in terms of clarity. A lot of players in the dressing room don’t know if they’re coming or going with that side yet, and that’s just the way it is for managers to try and navigate that last part.”
Raskin was not included in the starting XI at Pittodrie, with Connor Devlin and Dan Neil selected in central midfield instead.
Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd believes Rangers have an important problem to solve in that area of the team. He argued that the squad still lacks a player capable of connecting midfield with the attack and providing creativity.
“You’re asking yourself again what is going on with recruitment?” Boyd said.
“If there’s not been any bids for Nicolas Raskin, get him in your team because he’s the best midfielder by a country mile.
“I think they’re still shy of someone who can connect the midfield and be creative,” he added.
Boyd also questioned whether Rangers’ squad is too large and suggested that players must leave before the club adds further reinforcements.
“Rangers must have over 30 players; it’s not sustainable,” he said. “They need to get five, six, seven out at least before the window closes.
“There are other areas of the team that need strengthening other than the forward areas.”
The lack of creativity was evident during a tightly contested match against Aberdeen. Rangers found it difficult to produce clear chances and ultimately needed a penalty to break the deadlock.
Their best opportunity before Shankland’s decisive spot-kick came on the counter-attack. Gassama carried the ball forward at pace before Kim’s effort was slowed by Marius Muller, allowing Afeez Aremu to recover and clear the ball off the line.
The victory nevertheless gave McInnes a first Scottish Premiership win of the campaign and provided Rangers with some relief after their disappointing European exit. With the transfer window entering its final days, the manager now expects further movement both into and out of the club.
