If Rangers fail to take all three points against David Gray’s Hibernian side, does that already place pressure on their new manager? The answer has to be yes. Ibrox Noise was 100% in favour of McInnes’ appointment. However, thus far, his tenure has been every bit as bad as those of his predecessors.
McInnes has managed both matches tragically
His management during both matches has been absolutely tragic. Dundee United saw an abysmal starting XI take the field.
While Rangers scraped a point at Tannadice, that was nowhere near enough from an opening match. Unfortunately, that was the highlight for McInnes.
The trip to Poland saw another absolutely atrocious XI take the field in Białystok. Rangers were rightly beaten 2–1.
They were a disorganised shambles which looked completely inept and thoroughly embarrassing.
Therefore, McInnes is under pressure and so he should be. Derek McInnes remains under no illusions.
He knows the pressure that comes with this job. He accepted it while fully aware of the sky high demands at Ibrox.
Those demands apply to both players and managers. It is about winning at all costs. The manager is already failing to do that.
Rangers fans demand victories
McInnes will already know that he is under pressure. He absolutely should be.
He would never expect the true Rangers fanbase to let him off lightly. They will not simply say that everything is fine and give him time.
Yes, we know the “give him time” and “give him a chance” crowd are already out.
However, true Rangers fans will not give McInnes time in the sense of accepting every bad result. Ibrox Noise completely supported giving McInnes time.
We also knew this season could be painful.
However, two matches without a win offer little material for positive thinking. The performances have been terrible, the selections horrendous and the tactics non-existent.
Furthermore, McInnes had a full and healthy preseason behind him.
McInnes has to feel pressure. You cannot hold this job without pressure.
Not even Walter Smith sailed through this position without it. Demands, expectations and the weight of history always follow the Rangers manager.
He should always operate under pressure.
Defeat could make McInnes’ position fragile
Following two completely hapless matches, McInnes must beat the green lot from Edinburgh on Sunday.
Otherwise, we would have to say that his position might already look slightly fragile.
Russell Martin did not last long. He produced an absolutely abject early record, but only domestically.
He was winning Champions League qualifiers with an absolutely atrocious squad. That was the squad Kevin Thelwell had assembled.
McInnes is also working with an atrocious squad. However, he cannot even win in the Europa League qualifiers, never mind the Champions League qualifiers.
Like it or not, Russell Martin was already a better manager than Derek McInnes has been so far.
Those are not words we want to say about a Rangers man. However, they are true.
Rangers cannot remain winless
Consequently, McInnes will face serious pressure over his job if his 0% win rate continues against Hibs.
Rangers cannot remain completely and utterly winless. That simply cannot happen.
Even Ibrox Noise cannot accept that after totally supporting the appointment of the former Hearts man.
At the end of the day, this is a pressure job and it demands victories.
We know Rangers will most likely not win 56 this season. We also know that major winning runs look unlikely under this manager and with this squad.
However, we need to see some small progress in some direction. Instead, Rangers are reversing.
It is nowhere near good enough. We seriously hope McInnes turns things around and finally secures a victory against Hibs.