Kyle Lafferty has declared that new Rangers manager Derek McInnes will transform the Ibrox club into genuine title contenders, ending a cycle of false dawns that has plagued the team for years. Speaking exclusively to Record Sport, the former Rangers striker, who played under McInnes at Kilmarnock, expressed confidence that the Northern Irishman is the right man to replace Danny Rohl and restore the club to its former glory.
Pattern Shift Under McInnes
Rangers have won just one Scottish Premiership title in 15 years, while Old Firm rivals Celtic are currently chasing a sixth consecutive league crown. Under previous managers, including Rohl, Philippe Clement, Michael Beale, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, the team has often flattered to deceive when it comes to winning trophies. Lafferty insists that McInnes will change that by building a squad that can withstand pressure.
“Every year, Rangers make a few signings and start the season fairly well. But by Christmas it usually doesn’t happen and fans end up supporting other teams. We basically start looking for Celtic’s results and wondering who will take points off them. It’s been a common theme in the last few years,” Lafferty told Record Sport.
“But this season feels different with Derek in charge. The signings feel different. If you look at his signings so far, there’s a pattern there in terms of who he’s going for. You can tell they’ll be solid from back to front. Under Derek, Rangers will be hard to beat and it looks like they’ll also now have the firepower they’ve been badly lacking.”
Key Signings and Firepower
Lafferty highlighted the early arrival of Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland as a crucial move, alongside the retention of £8 million forward Youssef Chermiti. He believes this duo will provide the goals needed to challenge Celtic.
“Chermiti was excellent last season. Whenever he played well, Rangers performed. Whenever he was slightly off it, they didn’t get the results we wanted. But with Lawrence there now, he’ll provide that firepower. That’s a signing that should have happened three years ago. It didn’t and unfortunately, he put the final nail in our coffin in terms of the title race last season with his goal at Tynecastle,” Lafferty said.
“Shankland is a pure goalscorer so he’ll guarantee goals. He’ll fancy himself to score in every game for Rangers. I expect him to be a signing that hits the ground running.”
Praise for the Board
The former striker also urged fans to credit the Rangers board for their proactive approach in the transfer market, which has allowed McInnes to build a team capable of sustained success. “The fans should be praising the board for what they’ve done in pre-season so far. They’ve brought in Lawrence Shankland early doors and then seen an opportunity to bring Derek in too,” he added.
Lafferty, who scored vital goals for Rangers during his time under legendary boss Walter Smith, picking up six trophies in four years, believes the current squad has the right mix of solidity and attacking threat. “Every season, fans get excited and the bubble usually bursts before the new year. But I think you’ll see a completely different Rangers team this year,” he concluded.
