Same start but different outlook at Rangers as McInnes era begins

What the report says

Rangers began Derek McInnes’ tenure with a 1-1 Scottish Premiership draw away to Dundee United, a result that echoed their opening-day stumble a year earlier but came with a calmer message from the new manager. BBC Sport reported that McInnes said his side would improve over time as he oversees a summer rebuild at Ibrox, with the club still in transition and more signings expected.

Dundee United took the lead through Lachlan Rose before Rangers responded after the interval via Thelo Aasgaard. McInnes said the point was disappointing and that his team had not done enough to win, but he urged patience and stressed that progress would come with more work on the training ground and further additions to the squad.

The match also offered an early look at several new faces, including goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, centre-back Ben Godfrey, and former Hearts players Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland in the starting line-up. Summer signings Dan Neil and Ross McCrorie also featured from the bench. BBC Sport noted that Godfrey left with a hamstring issue, while uncertainty remains over Olwethu Makhanya’s visa for Rangers’ upcoming Europa League qualifier.

McInnes said Rangers still want a winger to add pace and directness in wide areas, while former players and pundits on BBC coverage described the team as a work in progress. The result matters because it underlines how much change Rangers still face as they try to settle a reshaped squad before European and domestic fixtures intensify.