Rangers’ new signing scores in private friendly rout as Derek McInnes begins strongly

Derek McInnes continued his encouraging start as Rangers manager after watching his side produce an impressive 5-1 victory over Raith Rovers in a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly. The match formed another important part of the club’s preparations ahead of the new campaign, giving the new boss an opportunity to further evaluate his squad as they build fitness and sharpness before competitive football returns.

The friendly allowed McInnes to assess several players in a match environment, including a number of summer arrivals eager to make a positive first impression. New recruits Ross McCrorie and Dan Neil were both involved as Rangers continued integrating fresh faces into the squad ahead of what promises to be a demanding season.

Rangers boss Derek McInnes(Image: Andy Buchanan/Shutterstock)

One notable absentee was goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, who was unavailable for selection. The Croatian shot-stopper is not expected to report back to the club until later in the month after his international commitments. Croatia’s hopes of progressing further at the World Cup came to an end on Friday evening following defeat to Portugal, delaying Pandur’s return to Glasgow as he completes his post-tournament schedule.

Several Scotland internationals were also missing from the squad. Liam Kelly, John Souttar, Findlay Curtis and Lawrence Shankland did not feature in the friendly, leaving McInnes to work with a slightly reduced group as preparations continue.

Elsewhere, Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin and Norwegian international Thelo Aasgaard remain away with their respective national teams. Both players are still involved at the World Cup, where Belgium and Norway have progressed into the knockout rounds and are currently preparing for last-16 fixtures. Their ongoing international duties mean they have yet to rejoin Rangers for pre-season training.

Despite those absences, McInnes still had plenty of talent available and used the opportunity to rotate his squad while giving valuable minutes to a number of players. Every pre-season fixture represents a chance for individuals to impress the coaching staff, compete for places in the starting eleven and demonstrate their readiness for the challenges ahead.

Following the match, attention will quickly turn toward Rangers’ upcoming warm-weather training camp in Spain. McInnes has decided to take his players there as preparations intensify ahead of the new season. The Spanish trip replaces an earlier plan to travel to Austria, an arrangement that had originally been made during Danny Rohl’s time at the club. Since taking charge, McInnes has opted to alter those plans in favour of a different pre-season schedule that he believes better suits his methods and objectives.

Saturday’s convincing victory suggested those preparations are moving in the right direction. Rangers dominated much of the contest against Championship side Raith Rovers and consistently created opportunities throughout the match. According to reports from the Rangers Review, the Ibrox club produced an energetic and clinical display that overwhelmed their opponents.

The breakthrough came during the opening half as Rangers quickly established control of proceedings. Lyall Cameron opened the scoring to reward the home side’s bright start before Tuur Rommens doubled the advantage prior to the interval. Their goals ensured McInnes’ side headed into the dressing room with a comfortable two-goal cushion and plenty of confidence.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Rangers continuing to dictate possession and create chances. One of the standout moments came when Ross McCrorie marked his return to the club by getting his name on the scoresheet. The midfielder’s goal represented a memorable moment as he celebrated his comeback with a confident finish, giving supporters another reason for optimism ahead of the new campaign.

McCrorie’s contribution was followed by further goals from Nedim Bajrami and Ryan Naderi as Rangers maintained their attacking momentum. Both players took their chances well to add further gloss to the scoreline, underlining the team’s offensive quality and ensuring the margin of victory reflected their dominance over the ninety minutes.

Raith Rovers managed to pull one goal back late in the contest after being awarded a penalty. The Championship side converted from the spot to deny Rangers a clean sheet, but the consolation goal did little to alter the overall picture of the game. By that stage, McInnes’ men had already built an unassailable lead and comfortably controlled the outcome.

Although results during pre-season are not the primary focus, performances remain an important indicator of progress. McInnes will have been encouraged not only by the scoreline but also by the contributions from several individuals seeking to establish themselves in his plans. Goals spread across the team, positive displays from new arrivals and increasing match fitness all represent valuable outcomes as Rangers continue preparing for competitive action.

The manager is expected to continue experimenting with combinations and tactics over the coming weeks as more players return from international duty. The arrivals of Pandur, Raskin and Aasgaard will further strengthen the squad and provide McInnes with additional options as he shapes his preferred starting lineup.

For now, however, Rangers can take confidence from another productive outing. A comprehensive 5-1 victory over Raith Rovers provided plenty of encouraging signs, while Ross McCrorie’s goal on his return and strong performances from several teammates ensured Derek McInnes enjoyed another successful step in his early days as manager. With the Spanish training camp approaching and competitive fixtures drawing closer, Rangers appear to be building momentum under their new head coach.