Derek McInnes faces the biggest week of his managerial life as Rangers' early season struggles continue. The new Ibrox boss is already exasperated by his team's defensive fragility and lack of ruthlessness.
Defensive woes and early setbacks
Rangers' rearguard has developed a 'buy-one-get-one-free' approach to defending, conceding cheap goals in their opening fixtures. A 2-1 Europa League loss to Jagiellonia Bialystok in Poland followed a domestic draw, leaving the team without a win from their first two competitive matches.
McInnes' post-match assessment in Poland highlighted a tendency to beat themselves, with the team lacking the necessary edge. The manager believes Rangers are simply not nasty enough for his liking.
Pressure mounting
If Celtic beat Kilmarnock on Sunday before Rangers face Hibs at Ibrox, the gap at the top could stretch to five points. That scenario would likely push the home support from exasperation to desperation.
Already, McInnes faces questions over team selection, substitutes, and transfer dealings. The fans wanted a Rangers man in charge, but he now must rise above localised hysteria in a period of transition.
With results paramount and performance secondary, Rangers must find a ruthless streak quickly to avoid further turmoil.
