Derek McInnes insists Rangers' season is not a write off despite a winless start, but admits his squad needs help after a nightmare opening to the campaign. The Ibrox boss is clinging to 'wee moments' as his side struggle domestically and in Europe.
Europa League exit and domestic struggles
Rangers have already suffered one knockout blow this season after being dumped from the Europa League following a 3-2 aggregate loss to Jagiellonia Bialystok. Domestically, two deflating results in their first two games – a draw away at Dundee United and a defeat at home to Hibs – leave McInnes' men five points off Celtic in the title race.
Now the new gaffer is desperately hoping his team can navigate Sunday's Premier Sports Cup opener against St Mirren. While he accepts it's been a nightmare start, McInnes is adamant his dream job is not a write off just yet.
McInnes calls for help and patience
He said: "It's not been the start we wanted but the intention is still to have the outcome that we want come the end of the season. And we're still working hard towards that. We've got money to spend. We've got good ownership. We've got a lot of younger players. And what we could do is just a wee bit of help. And we need to try and win games as we go along because if you don't win games, everything becomes so much more difficult."
"Everything gets scrutinised when you don't win a game. And that's just par for the course. So that's not going to change. The only thing that has to change is getting more winning performances. And hopefully we can have that Sunday."
There was no mistaking the strength of feeling at full-time on Thursday as Ibrox erupted in fury after a second-leg statement saw Gers' Polish opponents progress to the Europa League play-offs. Rangers now tumble down into the Conference League for the first time, where they will face Czech outfit Jablonec.
Fans need something to cheer
McInnes accepts it's down to his side to give the punters something to cheer about. He said: "I think they need to see something to get behind. And they need to see action. And they need to see a team who are better than what they were on Thursday night. I think there were wee moments. And I think have been wee moments in the four games so far. But it's nowhere near enough. So nobody is sitting here and asking for understanding and patience."
"I didn't enjoy watching the second half against Jagiellonia so I quite understand the frustrations of that. And as I said, it's been more than just these four games that the frustration starts to build. They need some way to vent that. But they should be seeing a better performance. And we'll aim to give them that."
Injury blows and transfer setback
McInnes could certainly do with better news on the injury front. The week started with two devastating blows as Youssef Chermiti was ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL, while a groin tear sidelined Tuur Rommens for up to two months. It ended with another snider as Gers' £7m swoop for PSV ace Couhaib Driouech had to be scrubbed when a minor thigh issue was discovered in the Moroccan winger's medical.
It's all combined to leave McInnes short on options. "Yeah, there was a wee bit of square pegs and round holes again on Thursday night," he acknowledged. "No natural left back to play. No left-sided centre-backs so we lacked that natural flow. So there's a lot of things that we would still look to try and get. We've got some players who are not quite at full fitness like Daisuke Yokota and Nico Raskin. Nico's got a wee bit of an ankle complaint going on at the minute as well that we need to try and manage."
"So some boys aren't quite there. And some boys are still trying to find their best form as it happens at a stage of the season. But I think what we saw towards the end of the game was a lot of inexperience in the team. It's my job to try and help these boys perform better. And I do think with some additions in terms of balance and in terms of quality it would certainly help. I think a blind man can see that. But we've got the basis of a good squad here. But to get the best from them, getting a few more in would help."
St Mirren test ahead
McInnes had been hoping a run of four games at Ibrox would help his team build momentum. But there's been no home comforts so far for a side that last won in Govan back on April 4. And McInnes admits his team are unlikely to be given any helping hands from St Mirren as they make the short journey along the M8 from Paisley.
He said: "I've watched them in their last couple of games. And obviously they've changed how they want to play this season. They stayed up by the skin of their teeth last season. But you have to say they've had two strong performances so far in the league. There's a lot of players there that I know. We have a good idea of how they want to play the game come Sunday. So I think they'll come here on the back in a couple of wins while qualifying for the League Cup and through the group stages, and they'll come here confident."
"So we've got work to do and we need more full attention. Particularly where we are at the minute. We'll see who's fit and available. See if there's any new additions that can come in and help the team. And just don't go and deal with the cup tie. We could be doing with winning a game and getting a wee bit of confidence into the lads and getting a wee bit more optimism into the support."
