Rangers’ Derek McInnes on St. Mirren’s Danger In Space in Pre-Match Presser

Derek McInnes spoke to the media before Rangers travel to St. Mirren in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday 7 November. The Matchweek 13 game kicks off at 8pm at The Smisa Stadium, Greenhill Road, with N. Walsh as referee.

The Rangers manager covered giving supporters a team to believe in, the pressure around a cup final, Penrice, Findlay Curtis and the timeline for Daisuke Yokota’s return. He also said St. Mirren can hurt his side if they are given space.

The threat from St. Mirren

“St Mirren are a team who are capable, with the spaces allowed to them, they can hurt you.”

What he said

McInnes was asked about the opponent and said St. Mirren are capable of hurting teams when they are allowed space.

What he meant

Analysis: The warning is about how much room Rangers leave rather than about St. Mirren’s scoring record, which stands at 12 goals in 12 league games. Rangers have drawn 2-2 away at both Dundee and Hearts in their last six matches, conceding twice each time.

St. Mirren have also scored in only two of their last six matches, 2-1 against Dundee and 1-1 against Hibernian, so McInnes appears to be stressing discipline in open play more than any recent run of goals.

Full attention on Saturday

“So the game needs our full attention.”

What he said

McInnes said the fixture at The Smisa Stadium demands Rangers’ full focus.

What he meant

Analysis: Rangers are second on 24 points, 10 ahead of eighth-placed St. Mirren, who have played one game more. They won the meeting between the sides on Wednesday 9 September 1-0 at home, so McInnes is guarding against any assumption that the table settles this one.

Giving supporters belief

“Well, I think it’s your job to try and give the supporters a team that they can believe in and something they can get behind.”

What he said

McInnes described one of the manager’s jobs as providing supporters with a team they can believe in and get behind.

What he meant

Analysis: He frames the task as one of connecting with the stands as well as winning games. Rangers have lost once in 11 league games, with seven wins and three draws, and are unbeaten in their last five, so the emphasis is on sustaining that support.

Cup final pressure

“But equally, if we don’t win that game, questions will be asked.”

What he said

McInnes acknowledged the stakes attached to a cup final, saying that failing to win it would bring questions.

What he meant

Analysis: He accepts that scrutiny comes with the job and does not play it down. Rangers’ league position, second with 19 goals scored and nine conceded, gives him a strong platform, but he makes clear a cup result would be judged separately.

Why Penrice came on loan

“Ideally, I would like to have done it as a permanent, but the best way forward at the time was a loan.”

What he said

McInnes explained why Penrice’s move was a loan rather than a permanent deal.

What he meant

Analysis: He says he would have preferred a permanent move but that a loan was the workable option at the time. The facts supplied do not say more about the terms, so the comment is best read as a statement of his preference.

Trust in Penrice

“But he’s a player that I trust and I think the supporters trust him.”

What he said

McInnes went on to say he trusts Penrice and believes the supporters do too.

What he meant

Analysis: The remark ties back to his earlier point about supporters. With five Rangers players listed as unavailable, it signals confidence in the players he can pick, though he did not say whether Penrice will start.

Findlay Curtis and more starts

“I’m not here to say to him ‘be patient’ because I want him to be in a hurry to get more starts.”

What he said

Asked about Findlay Curtis’s playing time, McInnes said he does not want to tell the player to be patient.

What he meant

Analysis: McInnes wants Curtis pushing for a place rather than waiting for one. With José Cifuentes, Youssef Chermiti, Daisuke Yokota, Lawrence Shankland and John Souttar all listed as out, there are fewer options available to him on Saturday.

Yokota’s return

“Yokota should be back with us by the end of the month.”

What he said

McInnes gave an update on Daisuke Yokota, who is recovering from groin surgery.

What he meant

Analysis: Yokota is on Rangers’ absence list for this game, and McInnes pointed to the end of the month for his return. He is one of five Rangers players listed as out, alongside Cifuentes (knee), Chermiti (cruciate ligament), Shankland (hamstring) and Souttar (unknown injury). St. Mirren are without Malik Dijksteel, who has a hamstring injury.

Confidence check: Measured

McInnes sounds assured about his team’s direction but careful about this particular game. His line that “the game needs our full attention” and his warning about St. Mirren in space show a manager wary of complacency.

The numbers give him reason for belief. Rangers are second with 24 points from 11 games, have lost once, and have won three and drawn two of their last five league matches. St. Mirren are eighth, have won one of their last five and have lost three, including 1-0 at Motherwell on Saturday 31 October.

Against that, Rangers have five players out and drew 2-2 in their last two away league-style fixtures against Dundee and Hearts, conceding twice each time. His tone reflects both sides of that picture.

How to watch

St. Mirren vs Rangers kicks off at 8pm UK time on Saturday 7 November, live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, NOW. Subscribers can stream it on Sky Go, NOW.