Rangers manager Derek McInnes is successfully reshaping his squad’s identity, as evidenced by consecutive victories over rivals Celtic within a single week. Following a 3-0 League Cup win at Ibrox, the team secured a 1-0 league triumph at Celtic Park. Reflecting on the recent turnaround, McInnes remarked that he feels proud to put his name to the current side as it begins to mirror his own managerial style.
The current form marks a significant departure from the club’s early-season struggles. A sluggish start led to embarrassing early exits from the Europa League and Conference League at the hands of Jagiellonia Bialystok and Jablonec, respectively. McInnes acknowledged that the criticism he faced during that period was difficult to address, noting that the team initially lacked readiness, stability, and an attacking threat.
Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday, speaking on Scotland’s Sportsound, highlighted the shift in narrative. Halliday observed that while fans were previously confused by a side that lacked the typical aggression, athleticism, and defensive organization associated with a McInnes team, the current squad has clearly evolved. Over the past three to four weeks, the team has adopted a front-foot, aggressive approach, consistently pressuring opponents and moving the ball forward with intent.
Defensive solidity has been central to this recovery, with the club conceding only once in their last six matches—a stark contrast to their early record of just one clean sheet in their first seven games. Dujon Sterling has excelled at right-back, forming a robust defensive unit alongside Emmanuel Fernandez and Olwethu Makhanya. Despite occasional lapses in concentration from Fernandez, who was fortunate to avoid a red card during the victory at Celtic Park, the trio proved resolute. Makhanya earned man-of-the-match honors for his composed performance, helping restrict Celtic to a single shot on target throughout the game.
In midfield, Dan Neil and Nico Raskin have been instrumental in controlling play. Although Rangers recorded 75 fewer total passes than Celtic, they outperformed their rivals in the attacking half by 50 passes, focusing on forward progression rather than lateral movement between center-backs. McInnes credited his midfield for ensuring the team was not overwhelmed, emphasizing that the players now look far more settled.
The attacking threat has been bolstered by the emergence of Naderi, who has scored four goals in 13 matches—a notable improvement from his performance in the second half of the previous season. His decisive goal in the derby highlighted his physical work rate, as he engaged in 34 duels, 18 of which were in the air. Former striker Kris Boyd praised Naderi’s running power, suggesting that if McInnes continues to develop him, he could become a complete forward.
Managing this transition has been challenging, particularly with captain Lawrence Shankland sidelined due to a hamstring injury and the squad boasting an average age of just 24. With a new £9m signing in Kevin Kelsy, expectations remain high for consistent performance, especially given the club’s lack of European football commitments this season. Peter Lovenkrands, a former Rangers winger, noted that these back-to-back victories will provide the team with immense confidence.
Looking ahead, McInnes is keen to maintain the momentum of their six-game winning streak. By becoming the first Rangers manager since Graeme Souness to win his first two Old Firm derbies, McInnes has established a platform for growth. However, he remains focused on the league campaign, stating that the squad must continue to work hard to foster a winning habit, emphasizing that there is still significant progress to be made throughout the remainder of the season. The report also notes that it is showing the hallmarks of its manager as they clinched a sixth straight victory and back-to-back derby triumphs to narrow the gap to Celtic to two points. The report also notes that a big thing that was quite confusing to people is: ‘it doesn’t look like a Derek McInnes team’. The report also notes that all the Rangers reaction & have your say. The report also notes that but he has shown over 800 games as a manager that he can organise and motivate a team to be difficult to beat off the ball. The report also notes that with James Penrice adding to the midfield, rangers (purple) played in a compact shape and dominated Celtic. The report also notes that he was lucky not to be sent off at Celtic Park after an early booking for hauling down Camilo Duran was followed up by a dodgy challenge on Benjamin Nygren which went unpunished. The report also notes that he repelled everything that came into Rangers’ box, making 11 clearances, but once he settled. The report also notes that makhanya next to him brings calm authority and was named man-of-the-match.
