Two long-term transfer issues Rangers have already addressed

Derek McInnes’ press conference around 10 days ago was a privilege to attend. He was quietly understated, but there is a clear determination there. I spoke to him briefly afterwards and welcomed him “home”. “About time,” he replied, smiling from ear to ear.

I do not know McInnes personally, but I watched him as a young player scoring against Alania in the mid-nineties, and again at Tannadice when Rangers clinched nine in a row. It is no secret what this club means to him.

I want a period of stability at Rangers. In Jim Gillespie, the club has a Rangers man who, as demonstrated at the press conference, is not shy about imposing his style. There will be challenges and hurdles, but none should come as a surprise to him.

Ross McCrorie and Ben Godfrey are two early arrivals this summer (Image: Andy Buchanan / Shutterstock)

In McInnes, Rangers have a manager who is both a figurehead and someone resolute in understanding the demands of the football club. Players will run through brick walls for him; many already have. They will give that bit extra and be constantly reminded why they are doing it.

At Tannadice on the opening Friday, every player will know exactly what is required. The only acceptable outcome is victory. A draw will not suffice, not when margins can define a title race come the final day.

Defeat will ruin weekends, and that edge, that hurt, is something that has arguably been missing. Add one of the club’s greatest ever goalkeepers to the staff in Alan McGregor's return, and there will be no tolerance for half-paced effort or mediocrity. That will not be accepted on this management bench, least of all by a man rightly regarded around Ibrox as a Rangers legend.

Then there is the recruitment of Ross McCrorie and Lawrence Shankland. Two very different stories, but both tied by the same connection to the club.

McCrorie returns with determination, experience and a point to prove. Shankland arrives to fulfil what feels like a long-held ambition, to finish his career at the club he has always wanted to represent. Both are leaders. Both have captained their teams.

Slowly but surely, an identity is emerging. It is not about labels; it is about being right for the football club. There is a sense that Rangers are building a squad with more clarity than in previous windows.

McInnes' squad will go on a pre-season break late next week (Image: Andy Buchanan / Shutterstock)

There is still a long way to go. The early arrival of Dan Neil on a free transfer could finally address the need for a holding midfielder. Ben Godfrey, after a strong loan at Brøndby, adds defensive depth and will look to kick on again after a tricky few years.

Of course, there are question marks, there always are, but that is where the recruitment team must be trusted to have done their work.

Ivor Pandur arrives as the new number one for £6 million, a significant outlay. He reunites with the new goalkeeping coach through that Hull City connection. Regarded as an excellent shot-stopper, Pandur arrives with a strong reputation.

Jack Butland departs in the opposite direction for £3 million. It feels like the right time for a change. Perhaps mistakes have eroded confidence among supporters, or perhaps that is harsh. Either way, he led the club with dignity and should be welcomed back in the future.

What is clear is that Rangers are now acting on long-standing demands, two in particular.

“Gut that dressing room” - the captain and vice-captain have gone, two major voices associated with a period labelled as failure.

“Get the identity back”- that too appears to be happening, quietly but steadily.

So what next? I am waiting for that injection of real quality, the players who elevate a squad. The groundwork is being laid, but Rangers still need more than just consistent seven-out-of-10 performers. They need the eights and the nines, the match-winners, the difference-makers.

Read more:

• Lewis Ferguson and Rangers: What we know about any potential transfer
• Why Rangers signed Dan Neil: Southampton usurp, inside move and fixing a common issue

Right now, the squad does not feel complete. There is more to come, both in and out, and it is too early to believe this team is ready to dominate.

The quiet work has started and has started well. The groundwork has been set.

The decisive work is still to come, and that may define everything. Like a title race, this window has a long way to run.