Derek McInnes has made a very quiet statement this summer. But a big Rangers statement. The new Rangers manager has settled into Ibrox like a duck to water, or like a safe pair of old gloves. However, he has made a very quiet statement to one player in particular by signing two players for that position.
A difficult start for Chukwuani
Tochi Chukwuani did not have a particularly good start to life at Ibrox, while hipster Rangers fans, who at the time were big into Danny Rohl, backed him as the greatest thing since sliced bread. It was pretty abundantly clear that the Danish international was not cutting it in Govan, despite his CV of being a potential deep lying playmaker and able to dictate play through the middle as a 6. Instead, his performances were slow, lethargic, lacking in incision, and did not dominate midfield at all. He was very, very poor, even although, on paper, a Sturm Graz asset and Austrian league champion should have been a lot better for Rangers. He would have made a big Rangers statement.
McInnes adds competition
But nevertheless, that was and is the problem for Tochi Chukwuani, that the manager, Derek McInnes, has brought in Dan Neil and Ross McCrorie. Of course, as we know, Ross McCrorie is regarded by many as more of a right back. But looking at his career, his most prominent position is in actual fact Tochi’s slot, defensive midfield. That is also Dan Neil’s slot, defensive midfield. This suggests that Tochi Chukwuani is not strictly a McInnes favourite at this point, and he seeks greater depth in that position in midfield.
Plenty of options in midfield
Rangers, it has to be said, are quite well stocked for midfield, even if not all the players are exactly outstanding. Nico Raskin obviously intends to leave, but he would be Rangers’ asset in the middle. There is also Mohamed Diomande, who just has not shone in all of two and a half years since joining Rangers. He has been at best mediocre, even if he has a bizarrely high market value. And there are one or two others, to say the least.
But Chucky, as he is better known, just has not shone. And the fact that the manager has made two signings in this position suggests he might be finding his position a little bit flaky. Chucky will not be a guaranteed starter next season, if these new signings are to go by. But the only one who can fix that is Chucky himself.
A second chance under McInnes
He needs to do better and be better. We saw on paper what he could be. He had all the attributes for being a literal Barry Ferguson type of deep lying 6 regista. He could indeed be that quality of player, but did not show it under Danny Rohl at all. Consequently, he has a second chance, a reset. He has competition for his position, and he will have to prove that he is worthy of that jersey. Otherwise, he will find himself on the bench. Del has made a big Rangers statement.
We highly doubt he is going to get sold this summer, but who knows what may happen. But the fact, as we said, that McInnes signed two men for that slot does suggest that he is looking at the likes of Chucky and feels he needs better. More as it happens.