Rangers manager Derek McInnes criticized the current international break as too long, describing the nearly three-week separation from his squad as unusually demanding as the team prepares to return to Scottish Premiership action following the recent Old Firm clash against Celtic.
McInnes, who was named September’s Premiership manager of the month after a rocky start to his time at Ibrox that included a European exit, guided his side into the break on a run of six straight victories, highlighted by wins over Celtic in both the League Cup and Premiership.
McInnes Says Fixture Block Tested Preparation Efforts
McInnes explained that while Rangers had targeted the break after a demanding fixture block that included a victory at Pittodrie against Aberdeen, the pause ultimately tested preparation efforts. So the block of games that we had, winning at Pittodrie and that run of games, including the League Cup tie, was something that we always had in our heads, so we were working towards the break,
he stated, noting that they are always working towards the next break. Not all players were scheduled to return to training until Friday following the layout of the international window, with all players arriving back at some point prior. Basically, since the Celtic game till tomorrow, it’s almost three weeks, nineteen days. I think it is too long, to be honest,
McInnes said, adding that it does feel unusually long
and feels a week or so too long. He also noted that it is too long for players to be away from their family and their own clubs, but it is set in stone, and we need to get used to this.
Ferguson Offers Encouragement to McInnes
Ferguson spent time with the staff and McInnes chewing the fat, which McInnes noted is what he does. He has always been really supportive, and I’m sure he is with a lot of managers,
McInnes said regarding the former boss, adding, I’ve had a couple of conversations with him since I’ve been at the club, but to see him in person was good.
Ferguson offered encouragement following his own difficult starts at Manchester United, particularly after a health scare and having understood the opportunity for McInnes to come to Rangers following their long talks about it, with Ferguson having enjoyed what McInnes was doing at Hearts. He spoke about his own difficult starts at Man United, and he said it’s how you finish a campaign not how you start the campaign. Sometimes it can take time,
McInnes noted, mentioning further that Ferguson thought they were really strong on the performance at Celtic Park in particular.
