Rangers earned their first league points of the season by defeating Motherwell at Pittodrie this past Sunday. While the win provided a morale boost for manager Derek McInnes and players like Lawrence Shankland, concerns persist regarding the squad's depth in critical positions.
The relief of a maiden victory at Pittodrie
The recent triumph against Motherwell marks a vital turning point in the early stages of the season. As reported by the source, manager Derek McInnes noted that the team finally displayed the "desire, hunger, guts" required to claim an essential league win. This performance was described as the first instance this season where the squad showed the necessary fight to secure three points.
For key players like Lawrence Shankland, the victory served as a psychological release , effectively getting a "monkey off their collective back." While the attitude shown on the pitch met the baseline expectations of the Rangers supporters, the club now faces the challenge of transitioning from mere survival to playing the exciting, attacking football the fans demand.
The reliance on Daisuke Yokota and Djeidi Gassama
Despite a busy summer transfer window, the squad's composition on the flanks remains a significant vulnerability. According to the report, Daisuke Yokota currently stands as the only natural right winger available, a situation that leaves the club exposed if he faces injury or fatigue. While Minsu Kim showed promise during his debut at Pittodrie—playing just off Shankland and demonstrating a useful two-footedness—the overall depth remains thin .
On the left wing, the club's needs are complicated by the form of Djeidi Gassama. While his early-season performances may have reduced the immediate urgency for a new signing, the report notes that his inconsistency last season remains a concern. Findlay Curtis offers some versatility by being able to play on the right, but both players are considered less effective when moved out of their primary positions.
Midfield vacancies and the Nico Raskin question
The central midfield has become less congested following the departures of Connor Barron and Lyall Cameron, but the potential exit of Nico Raskin looms large. The report raises a critical question: if Raskin leaves, does the squad possess sufficient quality to sustain a title challenge? While Dan Neil and Cammy Devlin both deliveed arguably their best performances in a Rangers shirt during the weekend , there is a question of whether they can dictate games with the same authority as Celtic's Callum McGregor.
Defensive depth is another area of concern, specifically the lack of a natural left-sided centre-back. Currently, Olwethu Makhanya has been operating effectively in that role, but he may be forced to hold that position until at least the January transfer window to cover the gap.
The hunt for Kevin Kelsy before the window shuts
With only a few days remaining in the transfer window, the focus shifts to whether Derek McInnes can secure one more addition to the squad. there is widespread speculation that the club is targeting striker Kevin Kelsy to bolster their attacking optios. While McInnes has been well-backed by the club this summer, the final pieces of the puzzle remain uncertain.
Several specific questions remain for the Rangers management: Will the addition of a single striker be enough to offset the lack of depth in midfield? Can the current defensive structure withstand a long season without a specialist left-sided centre-back? and Will the club address the inconsistency on the wings before the window closes?
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