McInnes demands more after delivering Rangers' trophy chance

Published3 hours ago

Rangers manager Derek McInnes stands a final away from delivering a first major trophy in charge at Ibrox, at the first time of asking, after Ryan Naderi's late winner overcame stubborn Aberdeen at Hampden Park.

Either Hearts or Hibernian will be the opponents come December as the former Hearts, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen boss seeks just his second major trophy after over 800 matches in various dugouts.

Yet, overseeing a turnaround in form that has culminated in an 11-game unbeaten run doesn't seem to have left McInnes completely content as he called for more from his side despite taking another significant step in a season that offers increasing promise.

It's perhaps a measure of what he sees is required to succeed at a club so starved of consistent silverware. A reminder that standards aren't where he wants them to be.

So what exactly is McInnes looking for?

Naderi goal puts Rangers into League Cup final at expense of Aberdeen

Naderi goal puts Rangers into League Cup final at expense of Aberdeen

Decision-making key to improvement

The Ibrox side have enjoyed an impressive seven clean sheets during this unbeaten run. That's been the bedrock, with Olwethu Makhanya performing consistently at centre-half. Another shutout against Aberdeen went a long way given their inability to convert chances.

Rangers had 74% possession in their semi-final win. They had 25 shots on goal but just five on target until Naderi tapped home on 83 minutes.

"The job was to get the team and the club into a cup final and it's job done by hook or by crook," McInnes told BBC Scotland.

"The stats will show possession, 25 shots, but to only have five shots on target isn't good enough.

"Those stats are similar to what we see most weeks in terms of not enough shots on target and it's bad decision-making.

"It's such an important goal for us to get into the final but we do need to improve.

"Hopefully between now and then [the final] we can keep winning games but there has to be an obligation from all of us to try and get better performances."

'Parasite' Naderi impacts again

Arriving from the German third tier in February, Naderi cut an unconvincing figure last season with many doubting his credentials to lead the line for Rangers.

His Hampden winner adds to his collection of vital goals, having scored in the 1-0 league win at Celtic Park.

His tally of eight goals is a good return but also his impact overall, in the absence of Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti, has contributed significantly to Rangers' rise.

"Naderi is just a man that is completely transformed this season," former Ibrox midfielder Andy Halliday insisted.

"Not only is he complimenting that work ethic that's always been there but with goals and effectiveness at the top end of the pitch, it's that man again who comes up with the goods."

Again, though, his manager believes the Czech Republic forward can offer more if the team play to his strengths.

"He is a bit of a parasite in the sense that he thrives off service," McInnes explained.

"We just need to put more balls in the box for him but balls with a bit more quality. He's been a big game player for us already this season."

Where does win leave Rangers?

The demand at Rangers is clear. Win trophies. It's something that simply hasn't happened anywhere near enough in recent times, with just three delivered since 2012.

"We know the importance of getting to finals time and time again," McInnes said.

"This needs to be our norm year in year out, that we arrive at Hampden and we put ourselves in a position to lift silverware.

"If you don't win this [the semi-final] then question marks hang over and it's hard to keep the the noise quiet.

"It gives the supporters something to look forward to, it keeps a feel-good factor about the club.

"I think every team has got the ability to improve and I certainly feel that way with this team."

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• Published18 June 2023

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Published18 June 2023