New reason McInnes can finally unleash favoured Rangers plan

Speaking from a cramped press room in the eastern Czech Republic last week, a downbeat McInnes candidly admitted that his side did not look particularly comfortable as a counter-attacking team, a possession-based side or a direct one. The disconnect and uncertainty of that loss in Jablonec was defined by four shape changes and nothing sticking. Teams "have to stand for something", McInnes admitted, on a night when his did not. "We were all looking at the same thing, supporters, manager, staff, we're all looking at it going, 'Come on, where are we going to actually show our teeth here a wee bit and start to get a bit of attacking threat?'," he reflected on the start of the season from the vantage point of a win yesterday. The Rangers manager knew he had to solve that issue quickly while finding results away at Pittodrie and the Falkirk Stadium, and at home to Motherwell. Three wins and only one goal conceded in that time, a strike diverted into his own net by Kosta Nedeljkovic, represents a near-perfect outcome. The common denominator? Since the loss in Europe, a reversion to one shape over three games for the first time has Rangers looking far more cohesive. Bolstered by late additions in the transfer window that have increased their attacking options, life at Ibrox feels a little brighter than it did last Saturday. Minsu has been bright since arriving from Girona (Image: Stuart Wallace / Shutterstock) With three pacey ball carriers behind a central striker, rather than the man-oriented 4-3-3 that previously left Tochi Chukwuani pressing alongside a lone forward, everyone appears to be operating in their natural position for the first time this season. Asked about reverting to the 4-4-1-1 shape and sticking with it during Friday's press conference, McInnes said: "I wouldn't be against playing an out-and-out traditional front two at times. But, in the main, what I landed on ahead of the Aberdeen game was trying to get more speed, creativity, ball carriers and runners beyond the central striker. "Having ball carriers has always been really important to me in my squads. I want players with that confidence, the kind of swagger that says, 'Give me the ball and let me show you what I can do. I'm the guy here.' I don't want wide players who just want to wipe their brow, avoid mistakes, pass the ball back and be negative. I need wide players to back themselves, show conviction and have confidence, all while working within a team shape." Gassama was direct and powerful against Motherwell, Falkirk and Aberdeen this past week (Image: Steve Welsh) That final line is telling. For a McInnes team to function as intended, he needs wingers, ball carriers and players capable of injecting pace into attacks. His football is designed to platform individualism. Although he remains keen to play with two strikers when possible, Rangers look a much more dynamic side with three players behind the striker capable of driving towards the penalty box. There's no point having bodies up the pitch if you can't get there. Much of August was spent placing square pegs in round holes and changing systems in search of temporary solutions. Now, it feels as though McInnes finally has the tools Rangers need to function as he wants. While the Ibrox side are unlikely to have just 41 per cent possession at home very often, yesterday's game offered a clear illustration of how the former Hearts boss wants to approach these matches. Chances created in transition, quick service into the wide areas and no shortage of attacking opportunities. In open play, Rangers recorded an xG of more than three, comfortably their highest figure of the season, and attempted 27 shots. James Penrice hit the post, Daisuke Yokota and Kevin Kelsy both missed gilt-edged opportunities, Nico Raskin had a volley cleared off the line and Minsu Kim missed the target from the penalty spot. The difference was made by a tireless Ryan Naderi, who ran himself into the ground, an increasingly influential Djeidi Gassama and Minsu, who, while not at his best here, has "changed the dynamic" of how Rangers attack since arriving from Girona. Gassama won the penalty for Minsu and it was his direct running that helped create both of Lawrence Shankland's goals in midweek. He won the penalty that won the game at Pittodrie, too. The ability to play with pace on either side is a far cry from McInnes reverting to his preferred 4-4-2 against Dundee United on the opening day of the season, with Mohamed Diomande and Thelo Aasgaard providing the width. As previously argued, while the defining trait of McInnes' football is probably his desire to attack quickly and flood the final third, there is also a strong argument that having the right ball carriers is fundamental to making that philosophy work. As he explained following the win over Aberdeen: "The onus is on the [ball-carriers to provide] speed and creativity to bring moments, and I thought they all did that." On Saturday, the side's structure was provided by Dan Neil, who took the armband from Shankland and produced his best Rangers performance to date. Olwethu Makhanya plays like a 30-year-old defender, which is a compliment given he is still only 22, while Manny Fernandez was solid alongside him. Ivor Pandur has settled nicely into life at Ibrox too, with his proactive style marking a contrast to Jack Butland's reluctance to come off his line, a trait that occasionally created anxiety both within the team and in the stands. Read more: Rangers will still need to control games better through midfield, make no mistake about that. But being difficult to score against, dangerous in transition and, most importantly, recognisable is a solid starting point, though. The most significant development may simply be clarity. With the transfer window closed and a settled shape emerging, Rangers finally look like a team becoming something. And, as McInnes admitted in Jablonec, to build anything that is a non-negotiable.