McInnes is demanding instant results from his revamped side as they prepare for the season opener against Dundee United
19:00, 30 Jul 2026Updated 19:49, 30 Jul 2026
Jens Hjerto-Dahl
Derek McInnes insists Rangers’ lack of attacking recruits will be no excuse if they trip out of the Premiership starting blocks.
The new Ibrox gaffer will kick-off his reign when he takes his team to Tannadice to face Dundee United.
And it will be a vastly different Light Blues line-up to the one that stumbled over the finish line in third last term.
McInnes has confirmed the signing Philadelphia Union centre-back Olwethu Makhanya as his eighth new addition of the summer in time for the trip to Tayside.
But of the seven signings who have checked in before the £3million South African international, only new skipper Lawrence Shankland operates in the final third.
That has left fans – and McInnes himself – to express concerns over the Ibrox side’s lack of forward flair after watching them fail to score from open play in back-to-back friendlies against St Etienne and West Ham.
The new Rangers gaffer is still hunting for new faces who can provide a spark in at the top end of the pitch.
But in the meantime, he’s told the players he has available that it’s down to them to find a way past Jim Goodwin’s side, anyway they can.
He said: “A lot of teams are not fully equipped at this stage in terms of all the recruitment.
Derek McInnes(Image: SNS Group)
“We’re still a good bit short in terms of what we want to do.
“But we’ve got to look at what we have got rather than what we’ve not got — and I don’t want to make any excuses.
“Dundee United have got an advantage in that they’ve played four competitive games and we haven’t.
“I do think that is certainly an advantage, but of course we’ve got so many more advantages over Dundee United.
“In terms of the resource to bring in a level of player, it’s important that we actually look at what we have got involved in. We are more than capable of going up there and getting a positive result.
“I’m pleased with the fitness of the team, obviously some players are ahead of some others as is the way of it.
“But I really want us to make sure that we’re ready for the game. There’s no excuse if we don’t win the game.
“I do think in terms of a balanced squad, we’re still nowhere near where we want it to be.
“But we know where we need to get better and address and we’re working extremely hard to get the right ones in rather than just anyone in.”
While Gers are continuing to pursue a list of signing targets – including Coventry winger Jahnoah Markelo – one man who will definitely not being making the move to Ibrox is Tromso ace Jens Hjerto-Dahl.
Record Sport revealed earlier this month that Gers’ hopes of signing the Norway Under-21 international had faded and we now understand the club are no longer pursuing a deal for the highly-rated 20-year-old.
But McInnes is aware he needs to step up his hunt for right-sided wingers having allowed Oliver Antman to complete a £4.3million switch to Anderlecht.
He said: “We’re looking at the right-hand side more than anything. We’ve got players who can play on the other side and play it a bit more naturally.
“We’re continually assessing the score, but on that key position on the right-hand side, it’s pivotal for us.”
Djedi Gassama has operated on the right but prefers to work off the other side.
But McInnes wants to see more from the Frenchman before he guarantees the former Sheffield Wednesday ace a starting slot.
“I think Gass has got the potential to be what we want here, and we’re just looking for that a bit more often,” he said: “So, again, I think that he’s another one that never really played his natural position for a long period last season.
“If he wants to play from that left hand side, he’s got to understand what comes with that, and the responsibility to get up and down the pitch and produce at the right moments.”
While Makhanya will provide extra defensive cover in the centre, McInnes is aware Gers remain thin at left-back, with Tuur Rommens the only senior option and kid understudy Ashton Scally unavailable.
The Ibrox boss added: “Ashton’s been injured since I came in.
“He’s had an ankle issue and he’s still in a boot at the minute.
“We’re aware of his potential but we’re still looking to bring in two defenders and one of them will be left-sided.”