Rangers have laid the foundations for a sustained challenge to Celtic after a summer transfer window that has helped transform their fortunes under Derek McInnes.
McInnes endured a difficult start, with his first four matches ending without victory before the humiliating European elimination by Jablonec. But Rangers have since won six games in a row, including consecutive Old Firm victories, and could move top of the Scottish Premiership after the international break. Their next test is against Kilmarnock on October 10.
The improvement follows a major change in how the club approaches recruitment. Rangers signed 14 players for the second successive summer, but the two windows were conducted in very different circumstances.
Twelve months ago, Russell Martin had arrived as head coach, with Patrick Stewart as chief executive and Kevin Thelwell as sporting director. That new era quickly unravelled: Martin was dismissed after 123 days, while Stewart and Thelwell also left. Only four of the 14 players signed during that period remain.
Chairman Andrew Cavenagh acknowledged mistakes had been made and took a more active role. Although Robbie Thelwell is known as “head of recruitment”, he works within the scouting department and was not solely responsible for the deals.
This summer, Cavenagh worked with chief executive Jim Gillespie, who joined in March, outgoing technical director Dan Purdy, Paraag Marathe and Gretar Steinsson of the 49ers, and performance director Stig Inge Bjornebye, appointed in June after working as a consultant.
Recruitment was based not only on ability, but also on dressing-room fit, injury records and potential trading value. Purdy and others identified targets, while Cavenagh and Gillespie helped approve transfers with the backing of the 49ers and, ultimately, the manager. Unlike last summer, the club operated with a united strategy.
The original intention was to recruit about 10 players, but opportunities and injuries took the final number to 14. The leadership group established a playing model for domestic and European football, building on January additions Tuur Rommens, Tochi Chukwuani and Ryan Naderi.
The aim was to win domestically under McInnes, who has extensive knowledge of Scottish football. Rather than copy Celtic’s possession-based approach, Rangers prioritised pace and physicality. They also needed leadership after the departures of captain James Tavernier and vice-captain Jack Butland, while continuing to lower the squad’s average age. Cavenagh was prepared to spend for the right players, but many signings also had to offer scope for future value.
The results are encouraging, although the rebuild is not complete. Rangers’ average age in their two victories over Celtic before the break was below 24, compared with nearly 27 for their rivals. Six summer signings started those matches: Ivor Pandur, Olwethu Makhanya, captain Dan Neil, James Penrice, Minsu Kim and Kevin Kelsy.
In the League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox and the Premiership match at Parkhead, Rangers showed speed, strength and a clear identity, while dominating the second-ball contest. Thirteen squad members were selected by their countries for the three-week international window, with 12 aged 26 or under.
Rangers still have to close the Premiership gap and overcome Aberdeen to reach the League Cup final, where Hearts or Hibs await. But after consecutive Old Firm wins, they enter autumn with a platform for longer-term progress.
