"His first port of call is to make sure he’s a handful to play against and I thought he was that," Derek McInnes told dailymail.com after R. Naderi scored in Rangers' 2-0 win over ST Mirren. The penalty in ST Mirren vs Rangers took the 23-year-old to nine goals for the season in all competitions, but McInnes' point was wider than the finish itself. Rangers' manager is starting to speak about him like a striker he trusts.
McInnes' message on Naderi
There was a lot in the manager's assessment that went beyond the scoreline. McInnes also said: "I thought he ran the gaps, he made sure every one of their centre-backs knew he was there, which is very important."
That is the part Rangers need from a lead striker every week, especially away from home. McInnes has clearly put value on the unglamorous side of the job, occupying defenders, stretching the line and making himself awkward to play against, rather than judging Naderi only on whether he scores.
Still, the goals have to come at a club like Rangers and McInnes did not duck that. Speaking to dailyrecord.co.uk, he said: "But equally at a club like Rangers, you're going to get judged on goals. If you're going to lead the line for us, then getting goals is so important and thankfully with his stats he's really contributing."
The numbers around Naderi need a bit of care because two versions are in circulation. The match reporting around this game puts him on nine goals for the season in all competitions. The wider season figures in the match data show seven goals in 15 appearances overall, made up of six Premiership goals and one in the UEFA Europa Conference League, while he also has nine league goal involvements through six goals and three assists. What does look solid is the broader trend, he is contributing regularly and McInnes now talks about him as more than a stop-gap.
The penalty and the trust behind it
Naderi's goal came from the spot after Samuel Ramos was penalised for a challenge on James Penrice 18 minutes in. McInnes' explanation afterwards was revealing: "Ryan has been practising penalties more or less every day."
Managers do not hand that duty to a striker they are unsure about. The goal itself was part of the story, but so was the responsibility. McInnes later told dailyrecord.co.uk: "I think he's totally shown that he's somebody you can depend on, can be trusted, and that you can rely on to get goals as well as bring in good performances."
That feels like the most important line from the night. Rangers won 2-0, with Dan Neil adding the second shortly after the hour, and they are now unbeaten in their last 12 matches. They also moved to within a point of Premiership leaders Celtic, so this is happening in matches with real pressure attached.
Naderi's league return also backs up the growing confidence. He has six Premiership goals and three assists already, nine direct goal involvements before counting his European strike. There is enough there now to say McInnes is not just praising a decent afternoon in Paisley, he is backing a striker who is starting to look established in this Rangers side.
St Mirren's complaint and Rangers' bigger gain
Craig McLeish was unhappy with the penalty and told dailyrecord.co.uk: "My thoughts on the penalty. If that's the criteria for contact in the box, then fine. But Ismael Kabia gets wiped out in the second half after he puts a cross in. I don't even know if anyone looks at it."
He also accepted a more damaging issue for St Mirren. McLeish said his team have given away seven penalties in 13 league games, even though other reporting around their season has used a higher overall figure. Either way, his side are making life too hard for themselves and this defeat left them with one win in nine.
From Rangers' point of view, the bigger takeaway was simpler. McInnes left Paisley talking about work rate, trust and reliability, and Naderi left with another goal in a 2-0 win that kept Rangers one point behind Celtic.
FAQ
Why is Derek McInnes praising Ryan Naderi after the St Mirren win?
McInnes focused on more than the goal. After Rangers beat St Mirren 2-0, he praised Naderi's work rate, movement and presence, saying he was a handful and someone Rangers can depend on. The penalty goal also pushed the striker to nine goals for the season in all competitions.
Has Ryan Naderi become Rangers' first-choice striker?
McInnes' comments pointed strongly in that direction, even if he did not make a formal selection pledge. He said Naderi has shown he can be trusted and relied on for goals and performances, which is about as close as a manager gets to backing a striker as his lead number nine.
How important was Ryan Naderi's goal against St Mirren for Rangers?
It set Rangers on their way in a 2-0 away win. Naderi scored a first-half penalty before Dan Neil added the second shortly after the hour. The result kept Rangers unbeaten in 12 matches and moved them to within a point of Premiership leaders Celtic.
What is the argument over St Mirren's penalty record this season?
Craig McLeish said after the game that St Mirren have conceded seven penalties in 13 league games. Another figure has also circulated, but the direct quote after this match was seven in 13, and McLeish accepted that box discipline is hurting his side.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
