"We don't expect to be busy in January at all," Derek McInnes said as Rangers pushed ahead with a winter plan built around stability. Andrew Cavenagh has already told fan representatives the club do not expect to be busy in the window, and McInnes has backed that line. He says the squad can cope in numbers, while three injured players could soon do the work of new arrivals.
Injured returns, not fresh signings
McInnes said Cammy Devlin, Daisuke Yokota and Lawrence Shankland could be back fit by the beginning of December. His own description of that return was telling: "That will feel like signing three new players." It is a neat way of framing a quiet window, because Rangers brought in 14 new faces over the summer and do not look eager to pile more change on top.
There is still one live uncertainty around Youssef Chermiti, with the two reports split on how soon he might be back. One view has him possibly returning by the end of the season, while another says next season is more likely, with only a late cameo in the final games a possibility.
Dundee comes with the league form behind it
The timing of the message lines up with Rangers' league position. Rangers sit second in the Premiership with 19 points from eight games and have won their last five league matches, which helps explain why the manager is not pushing for a mid-season overhaul.
Saturday night away at Dundee will still be a proper test. McInnes described the trip to Dens Park as one under the lights, live on TV, with a full house and Dundee going well, and Dundee are fourth with 13 points from eight games. The mood around January may be calm, but the immediate job is less comfortable. L. Shankland and the other returnees are being talked about as boosts for December, while Rangers have to handle Dundee first.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
