Derek McInnes’ early tenure in charge of Rangers has arguably posed more problems than most people expected so far.
The Gers’ campaign began with a four-match winless run across domestic and European action, while they also suffered an embarrassing qualifying defeat in the UEFA Conference League.
However, McInnes’ men have since recorded four straight wins in the Scottish Premiership, with three of those victories also bringing clean sheets.
That run was extended again on Wednesday night when they edged past St Mirren thanks to Bojan Miovski’s stoppage-time winner at Ibrox.
The home side dominated the game with 18 shots, but had to wait until the dying embers for Miovski’s cultured finish to seal all three points.
The North Macedonian’s goal prompted jubilant scenes around Ibrox after the full-time whistle, and there are already signs of a genuine togetherness within the group.
Derek McInnes hitting the right notes with Rangers squad
Miovski has endured a difficult time at Rangers since his arrival last summer, and he is still waiting for his first competitive start of McInnes’ reign.
His performances haven’t truly lived up to expectations after his goal-laden spell with Aberdeen, but there is also a feeling at Ibrox that he has deserved more opportunities.
However, when his moment in the spotlight finally came against St Mirren, it was clear to see how much it meant to the entire Rangers squad.
The 27-year-old was mobbed by his teammates after the final whistle, despite him being seemingly on the periphery of the manager’s plans of late.
The reaction to Miovski’s winner highlighted the true sense of togetherness and camaraderie that McInnes has already established within the group.
With that in mind, he has arguably already gone one step beyond his predecessor Danny Rohl, who could never quite get everybody pulling in the same direction last term.
Rangers dealt ‘massive’ Lawrence Shankland blow
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Lawrence Shankland’s long-term injury serves as a “massive” blow for Rangers.
The striker was withdrawn early in the recent win over Motherwell, and it has since been confirmed that he is likely to miss around four months with a hamstring problem.
Brown believes that Shankland’s injury provides a “nightmare” situation for McInnes, who has already lost his first-choice frontman Youssef Chermiti for the entire campaign.
The responsibility is likely to fall on Miovski in the duo’s absence, and the rest of the players at Ibrox are clearly keen to see him succeed.
