Winning streaks bring pleasures and problems in equal measure, and Derek McInnes is now living through the less obvious side of that equation. Rangers have won six matches in a row, and that includes back-to-back victories over Celtic, a run that has given the manager something every coach says he wants but few handle comfortably: a genuine selection headache. When a team keeps winning, the question is no longer how to repair what is broken but whether, and when, to change something that is clearly working. In the build-up to the home game against Kilmarnock, that question has settled on one name in particular, summer signing Badredine Bouanani, the winger who is reported to have been brought to the club for matches exactly like this one.
The source of that claim was a discussion on the Rangers Review morning programme, where the debate over who should start against Kilmarnock dominated proceedings. Journalist Joshua Barrie made the case for including Bouanani, saying he had been told that the player was basically signed for these games. It is a short sentence, but it carries a lot of information about how the club approached its recruitment. Transfer business at a big club is not usually random. It starts with an analysis of the problems a team is likely to face over a season, and with Rangers playing so many matches against opponents who defend deep and wait for chances, the need for a player who can break down a stubborn side would have been obvious from the planning stage.
The panel’s consensus was that, after six straight victories and two wins over Celtic, McInnes has earned the luxury of genuine competition for places. That phrase deserves some thought. In many squads, competition for places is a slogan rather than a reality, because the first eleven picks itself and the rest wait for injuries. In a team that is winning and has also lost several attackers to injury, the picture is different. Players who might have been peripheral have been given minutes, those minutes have turned into performances, and the manager now has more options than he expected to have. Bouanani is a clear beneficiary of that situation, having impressed in flashes since arriving at Ibrox.
The description of his impact as coming in flashes is worth unpacking, because it is neither a criticism nor an unqualified endorsement. It suggests that he has shown real quality in moments, a clever turn, a precise pass or a dangerous delivery, without yet putting together the kind of sustained performance that makes a player impossible to leave out. That is entirely normal for a new signing. Moving to a different club, a different league and a different style of football takes time, and the first few months are usually a process of adjustment. Players who show flashes early often become consistent contributors once they understand the pace, the physicality and the habits of their new surroundings.
Scottish football can be an unforgiving place for technically gifted players, and the adaptation is not always easy. The Premiership is known for its intensity, its direct style and its tendency to throw long balls and crowded penalty areas at visiting and home sides alike. A winger who thrives on the ball in tight spaces needs to learn when to take on a defender and when to move the ball quickly, because the opposition will often close him down faster than he is used to. Bouanani has been learning those lessons, and the fact that he has already produced moments of quality suggests that the underlying ability is not in doubt.
The attributes that the panel highlighted are particularly relevant for the type of match Rangers will face on Saturday. The first is technical quality, which is the ability to receive the ball under pressure, control it cleanly and find a teammate in a crowded area. Against a defence that is packed with bodies, space is limited and time is shorter, so players who can operate in tight areas become extremely valuable. The second is set-piece delivery. Corners and free kicks offer a way to create chances without needing to find space in open play, and against opponents who defend deep, they can be the most reliable route to goal. A winger who can consistently put the ball in dangerous areas gives his team an extra weapon.
The panel agreed that Rangers may need different solutions against opponents who sit deeper, and that Bouanani could offer the creativity required to unlock stubborn defences. That is a sensible observation, because the problems posed by a deep defence are not the same as those posed by an opponent who comes out to play. A team that has success by pressing high, winning the ball quickly and attacking in transition may find that approach less effective when the opposition simply refuses to push forward. The space that transition play relies on disappears, and the match turns into a patient exercise in finding gaps. In that situation, a player with the vision and technique to unlock a compact block can make all the difference.
Kilmarnock are well placed to provide that kind of test. Teams visiting Ibrox generally set out to be difficult to beat, and the Ayrshire side have the organisation to make life uncomfortable for anyone who is careless. There is also a connection that adds interest. Several Rangers players have spent time at Rugby Park in recent months, with Findlay Curtis, goalkeeper Kieran Wright and midfielder Bailey Rice all sent there on loan. That means the opposition know a great deal about Rangers players and the club’s methods, and it could give them additional insight into how to approach the match. Familiarity cuts both ways, though, and Rangers will also know how Kilmarnock like to play.
For McInnes, the decision is a classic test of managerial judgement. Changing a winning team is always risky, and the instinct of many coaches is to leave things alone until results suggest otherwise. There is wisdom in that approach, because stability builds confidence and mutual understanding. Players who have been winning together tend to know each other’s habits, and a settled back line, a trusted midfield and a reliable attack create a sense of security. At the same time, a long winning run can mask weaknesses that will be exposed on a different day, and the best managers use their good periods to prepare for the harder ones.
The international break has added another layer of complexity. Several players have been away with their national teams, and managers often worry about the effect of travel, fatigue and minor injuries on returning players. At the same time, those who stayed behind have had the benefit of a full period of training and preparation, and that can put them in a strong position to claim a place. An opinion piece on Ibrox News argued that an exciting Rangers star should start alongside Ryan Naderi against Kilmarnock after events during the break. That piece was not specifically about Bouanani, but it reflects the same general mood, which is that the attack is open for discussion and several players are pushing for selection.
Naderi’s form is an important part of this picture. The German-born striker has been one of the club’s most effective signings, and he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Celtic. He is the kind of forward who benefits from good service, and the question of who plays alongside or behind him will shape the nature of the attack. Bouanani’s skills would suit that role, because a winger who can create openings and deliver quality balls into the box gives a striker the best chance to score. A forward with good movement and finishing is only as effective as the passes he receives, and the right creative partner can bring out the best in him.
The injury situation also has to be taken into account. Rangers have lost several attacking players in recent weeks, including captain Lawrence Shankland with a hamstring tear, young striker Youssef Chermiti with a serious knee injury and winger Daisuke Yokota who needed groin surgery. Those absences have reduced the options available to McInnes and have meant that other players have been called upon to step up. In that context, the emergence of a player like Bouanani is very welcome. He provides creativity at a time when it might otherwise be in short supply, and he gives the manager an alternative to rely on if other attackers struggle.
There is a certain irony in the fact that the injuries may have helped the new signing. Without the gaps in the squad, Bouanani might have found it harder to get minutes, and his progress might have been slower. Instead, the circumstances have given him a chance to show what he can do in competitive matches, which is far more valuable than training-ground impressions. Every appearance gives the coaching staff more information about his strengths and weaknesses, and every flash of quality builds a case for a larger role. The challenge now is to turn those moments into a consistent contribution.
From the supporters’ point of view, the debate is a pleasant one to have. Fans generally enjoy watching creative players, particularly those who can produce something special against a team that is trying to stop them from playing. A winger who can beat a defender, play a clever pass or whip in a dangerous corner brings an element of anticipation to a match, and at a stadium like Ibrox, that can lift the entire crowd. There is an old truth in football that supporters remember the players who do something unexpected, and a signing who is described as a specialist for games against deep defences is the sort of figure who can become a favourite.
Set pieces deserve particular attention in any discussion of this kind. In modern football, a significant proportion of goals come from dead-ball situations, and teams that are strong in this area often gain a meaningful advantage over the course of a season. When an opponent defends deep and leaves little room in open play, set pieces become even more important, because they offer a structured chance to create danger. A well-delivered corner can find a head at the near post, cause confusion at the far post or drop into the path of a player arriving late. A good taker adds value that does not show up in simple statistics, and the club that finds one has an edge.
The tactical implications of including Bouanani would need careful thought. McInnes has built a team that is winning, and any change must preserve the balance that has made it successful. A winger who plays wide might be asked to provide width while the full-back overlaps, or he might drift inside to create an extra passing option between the lines. Each approach has benefits and drawbacks, and the choice depends on the manager’s reading of the opponent. If Kilmarnock are expected to defend in a compact shape, having a player who can come inside and link with the midfield may be more useful than one who simply hugs the touchline.
There is also the question of who would make way. Selecting one player means leaving out another, and that decision can affect morale. A player who has performed well and been part of a winning run may feel aggrieved to lose his place, and a manager has to handle those situations with care. The best coaches communicate clearly, explaining their reasoning and making it plain that selection is based on the needs of the match rather than any judgement on the individuals involved. That kind of honesty helps maintain a good atmosphere, even when disappointment is unavoidable.
Competition for places, when managed well, is one of the most powerful tools a coach has. Players who know that a poor performance might cost them their spot tend to work harder in training and take fewer things for granted. Players on the fringes who know that a good display could earn them a start remain motivated and ready. McInnes will understand this, and giving a chance to a player who has been waiting for it sends a positive message to the whole squad. It says that merit counts, that effort is noticed and that the manager is willing to back players who show they can contribute.
None of this removes the risk. Any new element in a winning side can disrupt the rhythm, and an unfamiliar combination might take time to click. Rangers are playing at home, which helps, and the crowd will be behind them. Even so, Kilmarnock will come with a plan and will believe they can frustrate a team on a long winning run. The danger for Rangers is not so much the quality of the opposition as the risk of complacency, and the manager must make sure his players are properly prepared and focused. A single lapse in concentration against a well-organised team can lead to an unexpected result.
Football history is full of players who were bought for a purpose and had to wait for the right moment to prove it. A creative midfielder signed to unlock defences might spend weeks on the bench, only to produce a match-winning display when the circumstances are right. The best squads include such players, and the best managers know how to use them. If Bouanani was indeed signed for games against deep defences, then the Kilmarnock match is the sort of occasion the club had in mind, and the result will say something about how well the recruitment was planned.
There is also a human side to the story that should not be overlooked. A new signing in a new country has to deal with unfamiliar surroundings, a different language environment and the pressure of expectation from supporters. Having a manager who shows faith in him can make a big difference to his confidence. A start in front of the Ibrox crowd would be a significant moment in his Rangers career, and a good performance could open the door to many more. Players tend to respond well to trust, and the sense of being valued can bring out qualities that might otherwise stay hidden.
It would be wrong, though, to treat the decision as obvious. McInnes sees the players every day in training, knows their fitness levels and understands the tactical details better than any outside observer. What looks like a clear call from the stands or a studio can seem much more complicated from the touchline. The manager may have good reasons to prefer a different line-up, and his choice should not be taken as a criticism of any player who is left out. The debate in the media is valuable, but the final decision rests with the person who bears responsibility for the result.
In the wider scheme, the discussion tells us something positive about Rangers. A team that is arguing about whether to include an extra creative player is in a far better position than one that is scrambling for answers. Six straight victories, two wins over Celtic and a squad with competition for places are the signs of a club in good health. The injuries to key attackers have been damaging, but the way the team has responded suggests resilience and depth. If the manager can keep that momentum going while integrating new players, Rangers will have a strong platform for the rest of the season.
The match itself takes place on Saturday 10 October at Ibrox, with a 3pm kick-off, and it will be watched with interest for more than just the result. Supporters will want to see how the team copes with a stubborn defence, whether the manager makes changes and how the new signing performs if given the chance. Each of these questions has a bearing on the longer story of the season, and the answers will help shape the debates that follow. A comfortable win would reinforce the winning run, while a frustrating draw might fuel arguments about whether the team needs more creativity.
Whatever happens, the idea at the heart of the story is a clear one. Bouanani was reportedly signed for games like this, matches in which opponents sit deep and the usual routes to goal are blocked. If that is true, then Saturday offers a chance to show why the club wanted him, and if he does get the opportunity, he will arrive with a clear job to do. The manager has the options, the supporters have the anticipation and the player has the opening. The rest will be decided on the pitch, where the best arguments in football are always settled
