Derek McInnes believes Rangers risk “playing with fire” after being left with a shortage of options in defence ahead of the summer transfer window slamming shut.\u00a0<\/p>\n
McInnes has endured a difficult start to life in Glasgow, failing to win any of his three matches across all competitions (D1 L2) while also being hit with two huge injury blows.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Rangers boss confirmed on Wednesday that left-back\u00a0Tuur Rommens faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines after sustaining a groin strain in their 2-1 defeat to Hibernian.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Youssef Chermiti, who was of interest to Galatasaray, is also ruled out for a “significant period of time” after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the same game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rangers have made nine additions so far this summer, two of which are defenders: Olwethu Makhanya from the Philadelphia Union and\u00a0Ross McCrorie from Bristol City.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, McInnes admitted his squad needs help, with the club seeking reinforcements in the\u00a0full-back, winger and forward areas amid\u00a0Couhaib Driouech’s proposed move from PSV edging closer to completion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Strengthening defensively, strengthening in wide areas was a priority. But obviously losing a player of Youssef’s ability, we need to look at that one as well,” McInnes conceded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We don’t have an array of options defensively. We don’t have a left-footed defender in the building, and we’re keen to try and get that resolved as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n
“I do think that with the numbers we’ve got there, we are playing with fire, and there are a couple of defenders being injured.<\/p>\n
“The good thing is we’ve got the ability to react to it, and hopefully we can react positively.”<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/images.performgroup.com\/di\/library\/omnisport\/13\/7e\/rangers-squad-depth-including-injuries-2026-27_1c7kw4jqu2uxz1u0ub8na53lan.jpeg?t=-159359233\")
<\/p>\n
Rangers host Jagiellonia Bialystok in the second leg of their Europa League third-round qualifier and will need to come back from a 2-1 deficit they suffered in Poland.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Northern Irish champions Larne or Iberia Tbilisi of Georgia await\u00a0the winners in the Europa League play-offs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
McInnes acknowledged the pressure he was under during the early part of his Rangers tenure, but he is confident of overcoming his rocky start quickly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We understand that there’s not always going to be sunshine and rainbows. I got the job for a reason,” the former Hearts boss added.<\/p>\n
“We’re going to be playing a European game in front of 50,000 tomorrow. There’s a few, a lot of changes indeed, and there’s a lot of turning around of the squad.<\/p>\n
“Of course, it’s not been as straightforward as I hoped, and we want to enjoy the job a lot better than it is at the minute.<\/p>\n
“It’s part of being a manager. There’s ups and downs, but it’s about coping with difficult times.<\/p>\n
“It defines you, and I think it’s up to us now to knuckle down, stay calm, work really swiftly in recruitment.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n