Minsu Kim made an impressive Rangers debut in a 1-0 victory at Aberdeen, with manager Derek McInnes praising the £8.5 million signing for adding creativity to his side's attack.
The South Korean arrived from Girona this week and was thrown straight into the starting line-up at Pittodrie. He was deployed just off skipper Lawrence Shankland, with Djeidi Gassama and Findlay Curtis out wide. All four players posed a threat to Stephen Robinson's side as Rangers earned a vital win in the Granite City, thanks to Shankland's second-half penalty.
One training session before debut
Kim only linked up with his new team-mates on Friday and had one training session before making his bow. But McInnes is adamant he will be worth the money because he gives the team a different dimension.
“I think the added bit of quality from Minsu at the top of the pitch was much needed,” McInnes said. “We've been looking for that for a while now, so it's great that we managed to get him in.
“The only issue for me in the game was the fact that our goal felt like an eternity to come because we passed up really good moments. It's been a tough couple of days but we've got our reward today.
“It's not just Minsu's ball-carrying threat, because it was difficult when the pitch was a wee bit dry to actually travel with it at times. But it's just that confidence and speed running around Shankland.
Creativity around Shankland
“It's vitally important for Lawrence, having that movement. I've worked with Lawrence a long time, and he needs that speed, invention and creativity. It's the quality that we've been searching for for a long time now, and you see the difference to the team. There's a different dynamic.
“You give defenders the job to defend properly but the onus is on the speed and creativity to bring moments. I thought they all did that. Gassama was first class - he's capable of such a big reach. I thought Curtis gave us good moments in the game as well. But I think it was a great debut for Minsu, considering he only trained once yesterday.”
Rangers had to bounce back at Pittodrie after their Conference League exit to Jablonec in the Czech Republic on Thursday night. There was major pressure on the manager, especially having not won either of his first two Premiership games since taking over at Ibrox.
Togetherness and spirit
McInnes was delighted with the work ethic and desire of his team as they grafted for three points against a stuffy Dons outfit.
“The fact that we were in each other's pockets for three days since Wednesday to now and we've been together helped us,” he said. “Being in and around each other at the hotel in Aberdeen the last couple of days, it's been good for loads of reasons.
“Because we all suffer when we lose. It can be fine sometimes losing games, because you don't always get what you deserve. But we got exactly what we deserved on Thursday night because the performance wasn't good enough. It's a performance that we can't ignore because it was passive and it was weak in certain areas.
“But a lot of conversations took place and being in and around each other helped give us a real grittiness and determination today. It's not always quality that wins these games - I've been involved enough of them - but having togetherness and spirit and a work ethic, helps you give you a better chance of doing it, and that's what we had today.
“It's great for the players to feel better about themselves and there are a few more smiles in the dressing room. That's the dressing room we want to be at more often, and hopefully it whets the appetite for them.
“We've got another big game on Wednesday and we need to get ready for that now. We're only three games into the league campaign, but we know the importance of trying to get back-to-back wins, and try and move on now.”
