Rangers now closing in on McInnes’ 1st signing

Eyes will be focused on the arrival of Lawrence Shankland at Glasgow Rangers, although the priority might actually be on strengthening the defensive unit for new boss Derek McInnes.

In the final seven Premiership games of the season under Danny Rohl, the Gers conceded at least twice in each of those outings, a record that seemingly proved fatal as their title hopes were swiftly extinguished.

There is at least set to be significant change in that department ahead of next term, with James Tavernier the headline departure amid something of a summer exodus.

The likes of Derek Cornelius, Nasser Djiga, Max Aarons and Jayden Meghoma are all set to return to their parent clubs, while speculation remains rife regarding a potential club-record sale for Emmanuel Fernandez.

That has left the Ibrox side down to the bare bones as things stand, although work is being carried out to shift the dynamic by all accounts.

Rangers closing in on McInnes’ first signing at Ibrox

McInnes has followed Shankland through the door in Glasgow, although the wait goes on to see who will be the actual first signing under the new regime.

One long-standing target appears to be Dundee’s Luke Graham, with the 22-year-old fresh off the back of another fine season for Steven Pressley’s side.

The expectation is that Rangers will attempt to firm up their interest in the young Scot, amid rival interest from Portsmouth, with the left-footer seemingly up for grabs with just a year left to run on his existing deal.

It is a similar scenario with regard to the club’s pursuit of Ross McCrorie, with Football Insider revealing that the Old Firm giants are in pole position to wrap up a deal for the Bristol City star.

Like Graham, the 28-year-old is out of contract at Ashton Gate next season, with the Light Blues now closing in on an agreement to bring him back to Ibrox, despite the interest of English suitors.

Talks are said to be advanced, with the likelihood being that the two-cap Scotland international will make the move ‘in the coming weeks’.

Why McCrorie signing could be the end for Sterling

It looks set to be a summer of reunions by all accounts, with McInnes and Shankland set to link up again, while Vaclav Cerny also appears in line to make his return to Glasgow.

McCrorie, a product of the Gers’ academy, could be another to enjoy something of an Ibrox homecoming, having previously departed permanently for Aberdeen in 2021, following a string of loan spells.

It was at Pittodrie where the now-28-year-old played under McInnes, making 30 appearances in all under his fellow Scot, while scoring twice and registering three assists.

Across his time with both the Dons and Rangers in total, the versatile McCrorie made 170 appearances, scoring ten times and registering seven assists, having lined up in a variety of different roles for both clubs.

It is that versatility that could make him such an asset to McInnes in the present day, seemingly set to usurp Dujon Sterling as Rangers’ jack of all trades.

In Sterling’s case, the Englishman has also plugged a number of gaps over the past three years at Ibrox, lining up on either flank at full-back, operating as a centre-back or even as a makeshift defensive midfielder.

Like McCrorie, it is at right-back where the 26-year-old does appear to be at his best, with former boss Rohl having favoured him ahead of Tavernier in key games last season, including in the 4-2 win over Hearts.

With defensive options so limited, there may well still be a role for Sterling under McInnes, yet McCrorie could throw that into doubt, particularly with the current Rangers man so prone to injury.

Indeed, across 2025/26, Sterling actually only made 17 appearances in all competitions, only 13 of which came from the start, having hardly proven himself to be a figure to rely upon in the backline.

McCrorie, meanwhile, is a man with momentum following a fine individual campaign with the Robins, having scored and assisted nine goals in the EFL Championship, while typically operating as a full-back or wing-back.

That improved attacking thrust also saw the Gers target create eight ‘big chances’ and average 0.8 key passes per game in England’s second tier, a significantly superior record to that of Sterling.

For context, the former Chelsea man created just one ‘big chance’ in the Premiership last term, while averaging just 0.4 key passes per game.

That’s not to say McCrorie is a weak link defensively, however, having actually bettered Sterling again with regard to tackles and interceptions per game (2.4 vs 2.0).

With Sterling’s own contract up next summer, there might be a feeling that now could be the time to cash in after three injury-hit years in Glasgow, with McCrorie seemingly the perfect upgrade.