Derek McInnes has made clear that Rangers' shortage of attacking recruits will not be used as an excuse if they stumble at the start of the Premiership season. The new Ibrox manager begins his reign with a trip to Tannadice to face Dundee United, fielding a squad vastly different from the one that finished third last term.
McInnes confirmed the signing of Philadelphia Union centre-back Olwethu Makhanya as his eighth summer addition, in time for the Tayside clash. However, of the seven signings before the £3million South African, only new captain Lawrence Shankland operates in the final third.
Lack of forward flair
Fans and McInnes himself have expressed concerns over the lack of forward flair after Rangers failed to score from open play in friendlies against St Etienne and West Ham. The gaffer is still searching for new attacking faces but has told his current squad it is up to them to find a way past Jim Goodwin's side.
“A lot of teams are not fully equipped at this stage in terms of all the recruitment,” McInnes said. “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.”
He acknowledged Dundee United have an advantage having played four competitive games, but added: “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.”
Transfers: Hjerto-Dahl off, Markelo targeted
While Rangers pursue targets including Coventry winger Jahnoah Markelo, one player who will not move to Ibrox is Tromso's Jens Hjerto-Dahl. Record Sport reported earlier that hopes of signing the Norway Under-21 international had faded, and the club is no longer pursuing the 20-year-old.
McInnes is aware of the need to strengthen the right side after allowing Oliver Antman to complete a £4.3million switch to Anderlecht. “We're looking at the right-hand side more than anything,” he said. “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 the left. McInnes wants more from the Frenchman before guaranteeing 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. “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.”
Defensive reinforcements
While Makhanya provides cover in central defence, McInnes acknowledged Rangers remain thin at left-back, with Tuur Rommens the only senior option and youngster Ashton Scally unavailable due to an ankle injury. “Ashton’s been injured since I came in,” McInnes said. “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.”
