Rangers Yinyang moments and dream debut gets Derek mcIlnes off the mark
Derek McInnes has sent a clear message to Rangers supporters after his side finally delivered the response they had been demanding, demolishing St Mirren 5-1 at Ibrox to reach the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals.
The victory arrived at a crucial moment for McInnes. Rangers had failed to win any of their opening four competitive matches under their new manager, including a damaging Europa League exit to Jagiellonia Białystok. Supporters had grown increasingly frustrated, with the team booed off after the European disappointment.
Against St Mirren, the mood changed dramatically. Ryan Naderi opened the scoring in the ninth minute before Vanja Dragojevic produced a spectacular long-range strike for his first Rangers goal. Chris Mochrie pulled one back for St Mirren, but Djeidi Gassama, debutant James Penrice and Ross McCausland completed a convincing victory.
McInnes’ message to the Rangers support was centred on one thing: stop allowing frustration to consume the club and get behind the team. He acknowledged how difficult the opening weeks had been and said supporters had been desperate for something to believe in.
The new atmosphere at Ibrox showed why the relationship between the team and supporters matters. McInnes now wants the performance against St Mirren to become a starting point rather than an isolated result.
Rangers face Celtic at home in the League Cup quarter-finals after the draw, giving McInnes an immediate opportunity to build on the momentum created by Sunday’s emphatic victory.
