Rangers have undergone a significant summer overhaul as Derek McInnes looks to end Celtic's dominance in Scottish football. The Ibrox side have already brought in five new players, with Ross McCrorie set to meet the media on Thursday. McInnes, who leapfrogged Rangers last season with Hearts, aims to go one better after missing out on the title on the final day.
New Signings and Key Players
The new arrivals include Lawrence Shankland, Ivor Pandur, Ben Godfrey, and Dan Neil. McCrorie and Godfrey have already been seen training at Auchenhowie. McInnes is known for his meticulous approach, often seen with a notepad during sessions.
Dujon Sterling, watched closely by McInnes, faces a pivotal season. The former Chelsea man needs to stay fit to challenge McCrorie for minutes. Meanwhile, Djeidi Gassama sports a daring new look as he aims to build on his first season.
Fit and Form
Tuur Rommens' direct style appears a perfect fit for McInnes, who loves attacking full-backs. The Belgian turned heads last season and will look to continue that form. Youssef Chermiti, likely to attract significant interest, is back to business, while Danilo returns after a loan stint in the Netherlands, facing an uncertain future.
Ben Godfrey leads the charge after his loan move from Atalanta, and Nedim Bajrami knows this is a defining summer for him at Ibrox. Connor Barron is expected to compete for serious minutes in a revamped midfield, with McInnes aware of his tigerish attitude from their time at Aberdeen.
Coaching and Competition
Craig Clark has moved from Kilmarnock and played a key role during Thursday's session. Clinton Nsiala is also looking to impress. McInnes' trusty notepad is never far away as he runs the rule over the squad.
According to Record Sport, McInnes is keenly aware that only results on the pitch can give his new side authenticity. Rangers have been caught in a cycle of starting from scratch, but McInnes aims to bring back the stability seen under Steven Gerrard.
