da betcris： The future is unknown at Rangers. After the departure of Mark Warburton two weeks ago, supporters aren’t quite sure which direction the club is heading in with caretaker manager Graeme Murty seemingly in charge for another round of Scottish Premiership fixtures.
da doce： There has been rampant speculation about who may take charge of the Ibrox giants, from Tommy Wright at St Johnstone to Frank de Boer.
One of the names who seems to make most sense is Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes, a former Rangers player. He has made the Dons the second force in Scottish football over the last few years. That’s where the ‘Gers want to be initially while they try and build a squad capable of challenging Celtic.
So, what sort of first-team would McInnes build at the club? He’s a manager with a preference for a 4-2-3-1 formation and players from the British Isles.
With that in mind, here’s a potential Rangers XI next season should McInnes take charge…
GK: Joe Lewis
Current Rangers number one Wes Foderingham hasn’t made any glaring mistakes that have cost Rangers big and he does have good shot stopping ability but question marks have been raised about his distribution and ability to link up with his defenders. Supporters have also been concerned about his ability to deal with cross balls either from set pieces or open play.
Rangers need a solid foundation at the back and Derek McInnes has been able to rely 100% on Joe Lewis this season at Aberdeen. Playing ever game, the Dons boss has found a man who can not only make stunning saves but is also dependable in every scenario.
The goalkeeping area isn’t one of great priority for Rangers but managers need to trust their goalkeepers and that relationship McInnes has with Lewis would be key.
RB: James Tavernier
James Tavernier is a defender that defines himself forward play rather than how to combat opposition attackers. With the pace and fitness to be an effective presence on Rangers’ right-hand side for an entire 90 minutes, the ‘Gers have come to rely on the 25-year-old to be one of their most potent attacking threats.
There are definite question marks about how this impacts the rest of the Rangers defence but he’s likely to be a key part of any Rangers rebuilding effort next season regardless of which manager comes in to guide them.
CB: Danny Wilson
None of Rangers’ centre-backs have covered themselves in glory this season but with Clint Hill now 38-years-old and Rob Kiernan looking even more suspect. Unless the ‘Gers have the budget to overhaul their entire defence then Danny Wilson is likely the defender with the best chance of getting back to top form under a new manager like McInnes.
Once tipped for the very top of the game, the 25-year-old is in his second spell at the club after leaving for Liverpool in 2010. It didn’t quite work out for him there but an excellent spell at Hearts and an impressive campaign last season in the Championship have shown he does have the ability and consistency to shine at Ibrox. He just needs the right managerial motivation and guidance.
CB: Ash Taylor
Derek McInnes would likely want to bring in a defender he knows and since the other defensive options at Aberdeen are unlikely to be moving anywhere that leaves Ash Taylor as his potential central defensive option. The big Dons player has had an up and down season but has shown great form in the last couple of months, help Aberdeen to nine wins out of their last ten.
Most of all he’s trust by McInnes to do a good job. His strengths lie in aerial duels, defending at set pieces and physical battles with forwards. He’s certainly not a ball playing defender. That’s arguably what Rangers need though, a bit of solidity and a player who will run through walls for his manager. The McInnes/Taylor relationship would certainly provide that.
Perhaps most crucially, his contract is up at Aberdeen in the summer and he could be available on the cheap.
LB: Lee Wallace
Rangers captain Lee Wallace will likely be a the club for years to come. One of the ‘Gers longest serving players he’s a vital presence on the left flank both ability wise and personality wise. He’s the leader of the dressing room and any manager coming in would likely want to keep that status quo, at least initially as they go through a period of transition.
CM: Ryan Jack
Ryan Jack is the beating heart of Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen side and it’s now hard to imagine a McInnes XI without him in it. A combative midfield enforcer, he is rated highly enough by the Dons boss to have been given the honour of being the club’s captain.
The Ibrox side badly need some steel and determination in their midfield and Ryan Jack provides plenty of that, he can play a bit too of course.
Like Ash Taylor, his contract is up in the summer, much to Aberdeen’s dismay we’re sure and he could be the bargain of the season should McInnes move to Ibrox and this all works out.
It’s all well and good bringing in big names like Joey Barton but what the ‘Gers need is committed midfield performances and Jack is all about that.
CM: Andy Halliday
Andy Halliday lives and breathes Rangers and while his form this season hasn’t exactly been stellar on a consistent basis, he is still going to be an integral part of their future. He needs a manager to come in and give him a confidence boost.
He’s a leader on the pitch and is the man to call upon for the captain’s role should Lee Wallace be unavailable in defence.
Now more than ever, Rangers need players willing to give everything for the club and supporters, a person who know what it means to wear the famous blue at Ibrox. Alongside the right midfield partner, Halliday could shine.
RW: Jonny Hayes
Jonny Hayes is an outstanding winger that has been a key part of everything good about Aberdeen over the last few years, scoring big goals, putting in big performances and building a wonderful understanding with his teammates.
He has just signed a new contract at Pittodrie but if his manager leaves it could unsettle him and have him seeking pastures new.
Clubs in the English leagues having been chasing him for a while with Cardiff the latest this January, reportedly offering multiple bids to land their man.
He’d be a very effective presence on Rangers’ right-hand side, a player who thrives in that area rather than being played out of position. He’s also comfortable on the left should any manager decide to change it up with Barrie McKay.
AM: Emerson Hyndman
Emerson Hyndman may have only been at the club for a short while but he’s already made quite the impression on loan from Bournemouth. Unlikely to be starting in the English Premier League anytime soon, a full season’s loan deal for the midfielder should be sought in the summer and he should be deployed in an attacking midfield role given his desire to get into the box.
The American international has scored two league goals in four appearances so far and has been one of the few bright spots for Rangers fans in recent weeks.
He’s currently playing alongside Halliday in the middle of the park but it’s clear he would be more effective further forward, seemingly having the ability to create multiple chances in the final third for the ‘Gers.
LW: Barrie McKay
Barrie McKay is a fans’ favourite at Ibrox and you can understand why. Always entertaining, always skilful, always looking to create, he’s been a real force on the wing for Rangers in his time at the club. No doubt that would be the case under any manager coming in too. It would be a priority to build Rangers’ attack around him.
Derek McInnes is partial to goalscoring wingers himself, with the likes of Niall McGinn and Jonny Hayes liable to roam intro central areas and chip in with goal contributions.
McKay has looked good so far but could thrive even more if given that responsibility.
ST: Jason Cummings
The missing piece of Rangers’ attack is having a real goalscoring threat beyond the ageing Kenny Miller and the answer is just a short distance away in Edinburgh; Jason Cummings.
The ‘Gers always seem to miss out on these emerging players in Scotland before they move down to England but it’s time to land one of the hottest young properties in Scottish football and give him the chance to bang in goals at Ibrox.
He has the personality and swagger to be a success for Rangers and the goalscoring ability to become a firm favourite with supporters.
McInnes favours a goal poacher as we’ve seen at Aberdeen with Adam Rooney and a move for Cummings could be just what Rangers need to kickstart a sustained title challenge in the Scottish Premiership.