Derek McInnes Reveals Rangers Tactical Risk He Is Prepared to Accept as He Demands More ‘Control’

Derek McInnes has acknowledged a potential weakness in his Rangers system but insists he is not prepared to sacrifice the team’s attacking threat in pursuit of greater midfield control.

The Ibrox manager has been assessing his side’s performances following their 2-2 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle, where his preferred 4-4-2 formation occasionally left Rangers vulnerable to being outnumbered in central areas.

Playing with two forwards high up the pitch can create problems against opponents who deploy an extra midfielder. It was a concern McInnes had to consider when preparing his team for last weekend’s 1-0 Premier Sports Cup victory over Aberdeen.

The Rangers boss wants his players to dictate matches for longer periods, rather than allowing opponents to gain an advantage in midfield.

“I’d like us, when we are in charge of games, to show that control,” McInnes explained.

“Sometimes when you go with two strikers, you’re in danger of giving up that control somewhere, depending on how the opposition sets up.”

McInnes refuses to compromise on Rangers’ attacking threat

Despite recognising the potential disadvantage, McInnes remains committed to an attacking approach that gives Rangers multiple options going forward.

The manager believes having two strikers supported by dangerous wide players is an important part of what the club should offer.

“I’ve always tried to get two strikers and two wide players in the team if we can, or three wide players, three attacking players, ball-carriers and a striker,” he said.

“I think we need those threats at Rangers.”

The formation has helped Rangers produce quick and dangerous attacking spells when their forwards combine effectively. However, the manager knows that committing players forward can leave gaps elsewhere on the pitch.

He also stressed that controlling a match does not simply mean dominating possession.

“There are different ways of exerting control,” McInnes continued.

“There’s control when you don’t have the ball and control when you have the ball.

“But I think it’s unrealistic to think you’re going to get it all your own way for 90-plus minutes in any game.”

Why Penrice was moved into midfield against Aberdeen

McInnes’ decision to use James Penrice in midfield for the Aberdeen cup tie was partly influenced by the need to address the numbers disadvantage in the middle of the pitch.

The Rangers manager anticipated that Aberdeen would line up with three central midfielders, and wanted to introduce additional energy while finding a way to counter their shape.

“I had a thought about what we needed, a bit more energy in there as well if we were going to get the benefit,” he explained.

“We thought Aberdeen would play 5-3-2, and at times having two midfielders against three at the right time obviously we wanted Minsu playing as a narrow left ten, so to try and play either side of Aremu.”

The tactical adjustment was designed to give Rangers a better chance of competing centrally without losing their attacking options.

Rangers boss wants more from his forwards

The draw against Hearts also highlighted another area McInnes wants to improve.

He was frustrated by his young attacking players’ inability to retain possession and move the team further up the pitch when Rangers came under pressure.

Although he trusts his defenders to deal with opposition attacks individually, he recognises that the team’s aggressive approach can leave them exposed in midfield.

McInnes believes Rangers could have made life considerably easier for themselves against Aberdeen by being more clinical in front of goal.

“If we were to take our chances… then you take the game away from Aberdeen,” he added.

Rangers head into their meeting with St Mirren on the back of an 11-match unbeaten run, with McInnes hoping that continued progress and greater understanding of his system will help the team maximise its attacking strengths.

The challenge is finding the right balance: keeping Rangers dangerous in the final third while ensuring they do not surrender control in the middle of the pitch.