Rangers address Couhaib Driouech interest, Nico Raskin future and whether new signings will play
· Ronnie Esplin · 2026-08-05 · nguồn gốc
Rangers address Couhaib Driouech interest, Nico Raskin future and whether new signings will play
McInnes admits ‘accurate’ reports regarding Rangers transfer interest
Derek McInnes has responded to rumours linking Rangers with a move for PSV winger Couhaib Driouech.
Reports in the Netherlands claim that the Ibrox club are hoping to strike a deal to land the 24-year-old Moroccan, who contributed nine goals and six assists last season, including three strikes in the Champions League.
It is claimed that Rangers had an opening bid rejected but are prepared to return with an improved offer amid rival interest from English Championship side Burnley and RB Salzburg, who are managed by former Ibrox boss Danny Rohl.
“We’re currently looking at several wide players,” McInnes said in response to a direct question about Driouech. “I don’t really want to be too specific on any one player but a few reports recently have been accurate and we’re keen to just bring the best we can.
“Obviously the owner, Andrew [Cavenagh], has been really supportive. We want to try and be as ambitious as we can. In certain areas of the pitch, we want to make sure we try and bring as good a quality as we can. We just need to see how this all lands for us with several targets.
“Obviously we’re not going to sign everyone we go for. But if we do get a bid accepted for any of the ones that’s been mentioned and a couple that haven’t been mentioned, then I’ll be delighted to get these players in as soon as possible.”
New signings could feature in Europa League clash
Rangers have already bolstered their ranks this week with the arrivals of Olwethu Makhanya and Daisuke Yokota and McInnes revealed he could pitch them straight into the Europa League clash with Jagiellonia Bialystok on Thursday night.
The Light Blues are in Poland for the first leg of the third qualifier with 26-year-old Japanese winger Yokota – who joined the Ibrox club from Bundesliga 2 side Hannover on a three-year deal on Wednesday to become Gers’ ninth signing of the summer – immediately installed into the squad.
Centre-back Makhanya could also make his debut after Ben Godfrey was ruled out for four weeks with a hamstring injury picked up in the 1-1 Premiership draw with Dundee United last Friday.
Makhanya, a South Africa international, joined last week from Philadelphia Union for around £3million and made his own way to Poland after taking possession a late visa in London.
McInnes said: “Daisuke, we hope, will help fill a void in a key position that we currently really need at the club. We feel as if we would like to have a couple of wingers. But getting Daisuke in and ahead of this game was very important to us.
“In terms of tomorrow, I think we need to weigh up everything. It’s nothing to do with the atmosphere, that will be great and players respond to that.
“It is just making sure we’re fair to both lads. But they’re here for a reason, they’re here if called upon.
“We were just delighted that we managed to get them both in because even up until this morning we still weren’t sure if both were going to be able to travel and be part of the squad.
“They’re not perfect in the sense that they haven’t been here long, but good players can deal with that and obviously both players will be eager to play their part.”
Midfielder Nico Raskin, who has been linked with a move away from Rangers and who has yet to play under McInnes after taking a break following World Cup duty with Belgium, has also travelled.
The boss said: “Nico is here because we think he can give us something as well. He’s available.
“There has been a lot of chat about Nico potentially moving but until a bid is accepted that suits everybody then he’s fit and available for us, and if he plays anything like he’s trained the last three or four days, he’s definitely got something to offer.
“(I’m) just delighted to get a chance to work with such a quality player.”
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.