It was supposed to be a hero’s return for Derek McInnes. Finally, the former player was stepping into the dugout to lead Rangers in an attempt to finally dethrone Celtic once more. Danny Rohl was out and someone who knew Scottish football more than most was in.
The results, however, have far from changed. The new manager is yet to win a game after three attempts and Hibernian’s last-minute winner truly compiled his misery on Sunday afternoon.
It’s Déjà vu for the 49ers, who saw Russell Martin struggle in similar fashion at the start of his tenure. They will hope McInnes turns things around, and fast, rather than becoming a Martin repeat.
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First 5 games in charge of Rangers |
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|---|---|
|
Russell Martin |
Derek McInnes |
|
Rangers 2-0 Panathinaikos |
Dundee United 1-1 Rangers |
|
Panathinaikos 1-1 Rangers |
Jagiellonia Białystok 2-1 Rangers |
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Motherwell 1-1 Rangers |
Rangers 1-2 Hibernian |
|
Rangers 3-0 Viktoria Plzen |
Rangers vs Jagiellonia Białystok |
|
Rangers 1-1 Dundee |
Rangers vs St. Mirren |
The bad news for McInnes is that it’s not just the defeat that he’s been left to worry about. Youssouf Chermiti was also stretchered off in the first-half and reports have indicated that he may have suffered an ACL injury following a collision with the advertising boards.
It came just hours after Rangers reportedly rejected a £22m offer for the striker from Galatasaray, telling the Turkish giants to up their offer of watch on as Chermiti stays put. Now, if the rumours of an ACL injury are true, then that deal will be off the table entirely.
For the 49ers, that means that the potential of a record sale is also likely off the table – a sale which could have funded the rest of Rangers’ transfer window. Amid speculation surrounding a big-money move for Frosinone’s Fares Ghedjemis, that is far from ideal.
The American owners will now have to find a new way to raise funds and that’s where Mohamed Diomande could come into play. The midfielder is seemingly the next player to be heading for the exit door.
Rangers in advanced talks to sell Mohamed Diomande
As reported by Sky Sports, Rangers are now in advanced talks to sell Diomande to Corum FK. The Turkish club have submitted an offer worth as much as £4.5m and the two clubs are now working to agree a final fee.
Rumours that the Gers are working on a final deal to sell the midfielder suggests that they’ve made their sale decision and he is likely to be heading out of Ibrox before the end of the month.
Diomande is among those who struggled against Hibs. After coming on at half-time, the 24-year-old made just two passes into the final third, completed one dribble and worst of all, failed to make a single tackle or interception. His 45-minute spell was entirely ineffective.
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Mohamed Diomande vs Hibs |
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|---|---|
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Minutes |
45 |
|
Tackles |
0 |
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Completed dribbles |
1/3 |
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Passes into final third |
2 |
|
Interceptions |
0 |
|
Recoveries |
3 |
Diomande’s performance has clearly left Rangers with plenty to think about. Now that Chermiti’s sale to Turkey is likely off the table, the Scottish giants are seemingly ready to generate funds by selling the midfielder instead.