Russell McInnes has expressed belief that he will succeed as Rangers manager despite a difficult opening spell in charge, insisting the club remains fully committed to seeing the rebuilding project through.
The Ibrox boss acknowledged that his squad is still a work in progress, with twelve new signings already brought through the door this summer. He indicated that the business is not yet finished, revealing he hopes to add "a couple more" faces before the transfer window shuts next week, while also anticipating that "one or two" current players could depart before the deadline.
One notable absence has been striker Youssef Chermiti, who remains sidelined through injury. McInnes pointed to the lack of a focused forward capable of stretching opposition defences as a key factor missing from his side in recent weeks.
Reflecting on the club's underwhelming start to the campaign, McInnes was candid about the challenges he has faced since taking over, but stressed that he is far from the first manager to encounter early difficulties at such a demanding club. He remains adamant that patience will ultimately be rewarded.
"It's not been the start we wanted, I'm not the first Rangers manager to get off to a tough start but we are determined to follow this job through and it's the end that counts and I still believe we're going to be a success here," McInnes said.
The manager also addressed concerns about his team's lack of a clear tactical identity following Thursday's match, admitting that the balance between possession-based football, counter-attacking play, and a more direct approach has yet to be found. He was quick to note that establishing a defined style of play has always been a hallmark of his managerial career at previous clubs including Aberdeen, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Johnstone.
"My teams have always had some sort of identity," McInnes explained. "I want us to try and be a team that puts more stress on teams defensively and I don't think that we are at the minute."
He suggested that his current group possesses the technical quality to execute his vision but simply needs to settle into their roles with greater composure on the ball. According to McInnes, a handful of additional signings could prove pivotal in helping the team evolve into the cohesive unit he envisions.
"We've got good ball players and I think we just need to relax a wee bit more in possession and be comfortable with what we're trying to do," he said. "It's not as if we're not capable of being that but I do think with an extra one or two additions, it will help us become something."
Looking ahead, McInnes outlined his ambition for Rangers to operate as an aggressive, high-pressing side capable of dominating matches through intensity and control. He emphasised that such a system demands total commitment from his players, particularly in winning individual battles and regaining possession quickly.
"I want us to be able to be a team that goes full press but when you go full press and you're aggressive, you've got to be really aggressive with that and you've got to pick up second balls and win duels and turn the ball over and really impose yourself on the game," he added.
Despite the rocky start, McInnes remains confident in the quality within his squad, pointing out that only players of genuine talent earn the opportunity to represent a club of Rangers' stature.
"There's talented players here," he said. "You don't get in the door at Rangers unless you're a talented player."
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.