Rangers locked in transfer talks as Derek McInnes answers 'time' question and gives update on Youssef Chermiti

McInnes watched his Rangers team crash to a stoppage-time defeat at Ibrox in what was the boss’ first competitive match at home. They already trail champions Celtic by five points after two rounds of fixtures and angst was once again evident from the stands.

Appointed just under two months ago, McInnes knows that he will not be afforded time to turn around Rangers’ fortunes. However, he pointed out that the frustration from supporters was also borne out of one title win in the past 15 years and that the squad still requires new additions.

“I'm not asking for more time,” said McInnes, who is still waiting for his first win as Rangers manager. “I understand the frustration. I share the frustration. It's 15 years of frustration here at this club. Nobody knows that more than me.

“We're a by-product. Every Rangers team is a by-product of that frustration. So the Rangers fans just want to see their team winning and so do I. And we will get there. It's not going to start like we wanted - and we have to work hard and stick together in the dressing room.

“But do we expect it to be any different to what we got today? Not until we start winning. So I'm fine with that. I'm not going to ask the fans for more patience because I think the Rangers fans have been patient enough. So it's up to us to give them a winning team more often than not. And we will get there. We could do with some help. And we're working hard to try and get some bodies in. We could do with a wee bit more luck than we got today, certainly. But it's not been the start that we wanted but we are still intending to get the same outcome.”

McInnes lamented the award of an early penalty to Hibs after VAR deemed that Vanja Dragojevic had fouled Jason Kerr in the penalty box. “In the cold light of day, if you analyse the game, we were the better team,” reasoned the manager. “I thought the decision to give a penalty kick was wrong. Having seen it back again, I think it's so soft, so harsh on us.”

Youssef Chermiti injury latest for Rangers

Fortune was not on Rangers’ side with injuries either. Striker Youssef Chermiti was taken off on a stretcher after a challenge with Hibs’ Josh Mulligan - just hours after the club rejected a bid in the region of £22 million from Galatasaray. Scans on Monday will determine the extent of the Portuguese’s injury.

“The bid was rejected, which we are delighted about,” said McInnes. “We know it's a big number that came in for him. But we have got plans for Youssef to be with us this season and be part of something.

“I’m disappointed for the big fella that he has to come off on a stretcher. I thought he was looking bright and running gaps. I thought he played with a bit of purpose. And there's no doubt we missed that.

“He's left in a boot and his knee in a brace. And we'll get him scanned tomorrow. So, we don't want people to speculate. But hopefully, we'll get some luck on the scan tomorrow and he can be back in a Rangers shirt before too long.”

McInnes was also asked about a bid from another Turkish club in Corum FK for Mohamed Diomande. “I don't know about that,” he said. “I think there may be some conversations going on about that. I don't know if there's been an official bid or anything like that. But I think I can't really comment on it, to be honest.”

Rangers remain in the market for a right winger and have made multiple bids for PSV’s Couhaib Driouech. They have also been heavily linked with AEK Athens’ Scottish left-back James Penrice.

“I think there's been a few names in the press over the last few days where I think that has been quite accurate,” added McInnes. “There's a lot of things that are ongoing at the minute. Before we even travelled to Poland the other day, we were hoping to try and land a couple of players. So, we're still in the process of trying to do that. But I think until we get things finalised and get things agreed with any player, it would probably be wrong of me to speak about that.”