McInnes aims to restore fear at Ibrox

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, August 9, 2026

Rangers manager Derek McInnes is focused on making Ibrox Stadium a daunting venue for opponents as the team prepares for its first home Scottish Premiership match against Hibernian. After a draw in their opening game, McInnes aims to build momentum with a home win that reestablishes Rangers' dominance and leverages the support of their large fanbase.

Derek McInnes has set his sights on reestablishing Ibrox Stadium as a challenging venue for visiting teams this season. The Rangers manager, preparing for his first home Scottish Premiership match against Hibernian on Sunday, emphasized the importance of transforming Ibrox into a place where opponents feel significant pressure.

Following a 1-1 draw at Dundee United in their opening fixture last week, Rangers are seeking a vital home victory to gain momentum in the league. McInnes noted that several clubs have found success at Ibrox in recent campaigns, with Hearts, Hibernian, and Motherwell all securing wins there last season, while Celtic, Dundee United, and Falkirk managed to take points away.

“We have to put more stress on opponents home and away – but especially at Ibrox,” McInnes said, highlighting the need for Rangers to make their home ground intimidating. He expressed the desire for visiting teams to anticipate relentless pressure and feel overwhelmed, a mentality he wants his squad to adopt.

McInnes also acknowledged that while the team is still building toward its best form, the support of around 50,000 fans at Ibrox offers a significant advantage. “It’s such an important fixture for us to go and win, hopefully in a manner we want to see,” he stated. “There should be a hint of what we want to be, going forward.”

The manager reassured that despite uncertainties about new player signings ahead of the match, he is confident in the current squad’s ability to claim victory. Reflecting on his experience last season managing Hearts, McInnes observed that opposing teams have recently approached games at Rangers and Celtic with increased belief that strong performances could yield positive results.

His objective is clear: to create a Rangers team that projects confidence and dominance, particularly on home turf. “I know the Rangers team that I want and what it looks like and I’m sure we’ll get there,” he added. With this weekend’s fixture against Hibernian, McInnes aims to lay the foundation for restoring Ibrox’s reputation as a fortress in Scottish football.

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