Rangers' shaky start piles pressure on McInnes

Rangers Football Club is enduring a difficult start to the season, with manager Derek McInnes openly criticising his team's defensive frailties following a run of poor results.

After a Europa League qualifying defeat in Poland, McInnes urged his players to be more disciplined and stop gifting opponents chances, warning that the squad was repeating problems from last season. Little changed in the home match against Hibernian, where new defender Vanja Dragojevic conceded a penalty by grappling opponent Josh Kerr to the ground.

Unsettled defence

A key issue has been constant changes to the back line — McInnes has fielded three different defensive quartets in as many matches, with little continuity in personnel. Rangers lost to Hibs despite McInnes insisting his side had been the better team and deserved more, pointing to a disputed penalty that gave the visitors the lead.

Former Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack warned that three winless matches in a row typically signals "crisis time," though he acknowledged the newly assembled squad, featuring nine summer signings, needs time to gel.

Transfer plans continue

McInnes confirmed the club is still pursuing further signings, including defenders and a winger, though he admitted progress has been slower than hoped. Matters were complicated further when striker Youssef Chermiti was stretchered off during the match, on the same day it emerged Rangers had turned down a substantial offer for him.

Rangers now face a crucial second-leg Europa League qualifier against Jagiellonia Bialystok on Thursday, needing to overturn their first-leg deficit.