'Real bond' can drive Rangers to success, says McInnes

What the report says

Rangers manager Derek McInnes says the growing togetherness in his squad could help drive a successful spell as the club prepares for two quick meetings with Celtic. His comments followed a late 1-0 home win over St Mirren on Wednesday, sealed by Bojan Miovski in added time, which extended Rangers’ league winning run to four matches and sparked celebrations at Ibrox.

McInnes said he has noticed a stronger dressing-room feel in recent weeks, describing a group that is eager to improve and backed by staff and the wider club. He suggested that the team’s spirit, along with a better sense of identity, is important as Rangers look to build momentum and become serious contenders for domestic honours again.

The immediate challenge is a Scottish League Cup quarter-final against Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday, followed by a Premiership match at Celtic Park a week later. Rangers last won the League Cup in 2023, while McInnes has won the competition before as Aberdeen manager and also has cup success as a Rangers player. He said the cup tie offers a route to Hampden and a chance to move closer to silverware, but stressed that Rangers must handle Celtic’s intensity and pressure if they are to progress.

More broadly, the BBC report places McInnes’ remarks in the context of Rangers trying to re-establish themselves as trophy challengers while facing one of their biggest rivals in consecutive fixtures.