NafisaThe arrival of a new manager often brings a fresh sense of anticipation, but it also raises questions about how quickly changes can be implemented behind the scenes.
At Rangers, there is already a growing expectation that the coming weeks will shape not only the club’s transfer activity but also the direction of the first season under Derek McInnes.
Supporters have spent much of the summer discussing what the former Hearts boss might prioritise after stepping into one of the most demanding jobs in Scottish football. While speculation has naturally focused on high-profile targets and potential marquee arrivals, there has also been an understanding that smart recruitment will be just as important as headline-grabbing deals.
The pressure surrounding Rangers remains immense following another disappointing domestic campaign. Finishing behind both Celtic and Hearts left many fans frustrated, and there is a clear demand for immediate improvement ahead of the new Premiership season.
That desire for change appears to be reflected in the transfer market, where the club have been working aggressively to strengthen key areas of the squad.
And now it seems the first major addition of the Derek McInnes era is on the verge of becoming reality.
Rangers are poised to finalise the first signing under their new manager after reaching an agreement that will bring former academy graduate Ross McCrorie back to Ibrox on a long-term contract from Bristol City.
The Glasgow outfit, who officially presented McInnes to the media on Thursday afternoon, are understood to have wrapped up a deal that will see the versatile defender return to Rangers nearly six years after departing the club for Aberdeen.
According to a report from Rangers Review, the Light Blues overcame competition from a number of clubs south of the border to persuade the Scotland international to make the move back to Govan.
The agreement is believed to be worth around £900,000 initially, although performance-related add-ons could increase the final value of the transfer in the future.
McCrorie, now 28, emerged through the Rangers youth system alongside his brother Robby and made more than 50 appearances for the first team before moving to Aberdeen in search of regular senior football.
His switch north proved beneficial for his development.
After spending three seasons at Pittodrie, he earned a move to Championship side Bristol City, where he established himself as an important figure at Ashton Gate.
His performances during the 2023/24 season were particularly impressive and ultimately earned him a place in Scotland’s squad for the European Championships.
The move now marks something of a full-circle moment in his career.
Should the deal be completed as expected, McCrorie will become Rangers’ second arrival of the summer transfer window following the signing of former Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland.
Both additions underline the club’s desire to build a squad capable of mounting a stronger challenge after last season’s disappointing third-place finish under former boss Danny Rohl.
One of McCrorie’s greatest strengths remains his versatility.
While he has operated predominantly at right-back in recent seasons, he is capable of filling numerous positions across the defensive line and midfield, making him an attractive option for McInnes as he reshapes the squad.
That flexibility could prove crucial over the course of a long campaign where injuries, suspensions and fixture congestion inevitably test squad depth.
His return also fits the wider recruitment strategy currently being implemented at Ibrox.
Following criticism of last summer’s transfer business, Rangers have made significant structural changes behind the scenes.
Technical director Dan Purdy and performance director Stig Inge Bjornebye are now working closely with chairman Andrew Cavenagh, chief executive Jim Gillespie and McInnes as they attempt to construct a squad capable of reclaiming the Scottish Premiership title.
Speaking about the club’s transfer plans this summer, McInnes stressed the importance of identifying realistic and achievable targets.
“What we’ve got is a recruitment team that will liaise with you constantly. We identify the key positions that we feel we need to bring.
“Within that, there are conversations getting had and work to be done to try and bring first port of call was affordability and accessibility to bring players here. There’s no point in fishing in ponds that we’re not going to be able to bring players in and waste too much time. So we quickly arrive at maybe a list of players that we can get.”
Those comments offer an insight into the new approach at Rangers.
Rather than chasing unattainable targets, the focus appears to be on securing players who are both obtainable and capable of making an immediate impact.
McCrorie certainly fits that profile.
He understands the demands of Scottish football, knows the expectations that come with representing Rangers and arrives with significantly more experience than when he first left the club.
For supporters eager to see signs of progress under McInnes, the return of a familiar face could be just the beginning of a busy summer at Ibrox.
Nafisa
