NafisaRangers have endured a turbulent opening to the 2026-27 campaign, and Derek McInnes is now facing another headache with the first Old Firm derby of the season rapidly approaching.
The Light Blues have endured plenty of twists and turns already this term. A difficult start in the Scottish Premiership was followed by disappointment in Europe, leaving McInnes with little margin for error as Rangers attempt to close the gap on Celtic at the top of the table.
Rangers collected just one point from their opening two league fixtures against Dundee United and Hibernian and subsequently saw their European campaign come to an early end after defeats in the Europa League and Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
However, there has been a significant improvement domestically in recent weeks.
Saturday’s narrow 1-0 victory over Motherwell was Rangers’ third consecutive Premiership win, lifting them into fourth place and giving McInnes some much-needed momentum. They remain five points behind leaders Celtic, though, meaning the upcoming sequence of fixtures could have a major bearing on the season.
Rangers first have to deal with St Mirren at Ibrox on Wednesday night before attention turns towards the Old Firm.
McInnes’ side will host Celtic in the Scottish League Cup quarter-final on Sunday before travelling to Celtic Park the following weekend for another meeting in the Premiership.
It is a huge period for Rangers, but the build-up has been overshadowed by a growing injury list.
Lawrence Shankland, Youssef Chermiti and Tuur Rommens are already unavailable, with the situation particularly problematic in attack.
Chermiti suffered an ACL injury earlier in the campaign, ruling Rangers’ summer signing out for a significant period. McInnes had subsequently been relying heavily on captain Shankland to provide goals and leadership in the final third.
The Scotland international has been in impressive form since moving from Hearts, scoring three goals in five league appearances, but Rangers have now lost him to a 2cm hamstring tear.
Shankland could be sidelined for up to four months, leaving McInnes with a major problem to solve at the worst possible time.
Ryan Naderi stepped up in Shankland’s absence against Motherwell, while Kevin Kelsy remains another option, but Rangers’ attacking depth has now taken another hit.
And it has come with the first Celtic clash of the season just days away.
Daisuke Yokota a Doubt for Celtic Clash:
McInnes revealed on Tuesday afternoon that Daisuke Yokota will miss Wednesday night’s meeting with St Mirren because of a groin problem.
More importantly, the Rangers boss confirmed that the Japanese winger’s involvement against Celtic on Sunday will depend on the results of a scan.
McInnes said: “Yokota is struggling with a groin injury.
He’s getting scanned this morning, and we expect him to miss tomorrow night. Depending on the outcome of that scan we’ll see whether he misses the weekend as well.
“Other than that, I think we’re good to go.”
Yokota’s potential absence would be another frustrating setback for McInnes, particularly with Rangers already operating without two of their attacking options.
The 26-year-old has only started one Premiership match for Rangers this season, but he has featured in all four matches in which he has been available and has regularly been used from the bench.
His ability to provide another attacking option could prove particularly valuable during a run that includes two meetings with Celtic within the space of seven days.
For now, however, Rangers will have to wait for the scan before knowing whether Yokota can recover in time for Sunday’s quarter-final.
McInnes will be hoping the results provide some encouragement and that Yokota is able to return quickly.
If the winger is ruled out, Rangers will once again have to find a way around another attacking absence as they prepare for one of the most important fixtures of their season so far.
Nafisa
