McInnes hails 'bitty' Pittodrie win as Rangers turning point
Rangers manager Derek McInnes believes a hard-fought 1-0 win at Aberdeen, secured by Lawrence Shankland's penalty, can lay foundations for success.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Derek McInnes secured a hard-fought win at Pittodrie against Aberdeen.
- Lawrence Shankland scored the decisive second-half penalty.
- New signing Kim Min-su impressed on his debut after one training session.
Until his team's trip north to Aberdeen on Sunday, Derek McInnes had found very little enjoyment in watching his Rangers side perform. Following an early European exit before the end of August and a dismal run of just two wins in seven matches, the manager's dream job was rapidly heading off course.
Under intense pressure regarding his long-term future and returning to face the club where he spent eight years as manager, McInnes oversaw another unconvincing display at Pittodrie. However, a hard-fought Scottish Premiership victory, sealed by Lawrence Shankland's second-half penalty, has left the manager believing this moment could spark a successful tenure.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Reflecting on the match, McInnes admitted that for the first time all season, he genuinely enjoyed watching his players compete on the pitch. While acknowledging that dominance cannot always be sustained for the full 90 minutes, he stressed the vital need for high work rate and quality.
"Probably for the first time this season, I really, really enjoyed watching the team."
McInnes specifically singled out 20-year-old South Korean debutant Kim Min-su for high praise. Having completed just a single training session with his new team-mates, the recent arrival from Girona delivered an impressive performance alongside Djeidi Gassama as Rangers' standout attacking outlets during an otherwise disjointed display.
The acquisition of Kim Min-su for a reported 8.5 million pounds highlights Rangers' ongoing squad rebuilding efforts, though the club's bloated roster of over 30 players presents significant financial and logistical challenges that must be addressed before the transfer window shuts.
Addressing squad depth, McInnes discussed the ongoing absence of midfielder Nicolas Raskin amid speculation over his future, clarifying that no formal bids have been received yet. He emphasized that trimming five to seven players is an absolute necessity for squad sustainability.
Looking ahead, Rangers continue monitoring the striker market for further attacking reinforcements, being heavily linked with Portland Timbers forward Kevin Kelsy following Youssef Chermiti's long-term injury setback.
Source: BBC Sport
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