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Derek McInnes provides Rangers transfer update, reacts to Celtic draw and reveals Ben Godfrey return date Rangers manager enjoys job for first time in cup win Derek McInnes admits he enjoyed managing Rangers “for the first time” in a 5-1 Premier Sports Cup win over St Mirren that has set up a quarter-final clash against Celtic next month. The Ibrox manager knows he still has something to prove and the challenges will only get stiffer. But this was a very welcome first win after five games in charge. It helps lift spirits ahead of Thursday night’s first leg Conference League play-off tie against Czech side FK Jablonec at Ibrox. Attention was nevertheless diverted to next month’s Old Firm doubleheader: Rangers play Celtic twice in a week, with the cup game falling first at Ibrox on the weekend of 12/13 September. The teams clash the following Sunday in the league at Celtic Park. “I’m delighted to be at home, obviously it's a mouth-watering tie,” said McInnes, when asked for his reaction to the draw. "If you're going to win the trophy, you need to beat the better teams. Obviously, Celtic coming here , which means we’ll face them two weeks in a row, it will be eagerly anticipated by everybody. “Hopefully, by the time that game comes around, we'll have a few more wins, and the squad will be a lot more settled and a bit stronger than it is at the minute. Because it will need to be to wrestle with a team like Celtic.” McInnes still hopes to bring in a new striker to replace the injured Youssef Chermiti as well as another forward player. He also revealed that defender Ben Godfrey, who was injured on his debut against Dundee United, should return for the second leg against Jablonec a week on Thursday and will be registered in the European squad. “We're still working really hard to do that,” McInnes said, with reference to the transfer targets. “They (attackers) are normally the hardest ones to get, because they normally come with a premium and they normally come because they're good players and we're not the only show in town. You've got to work really hard to get these players in. If we can be rewarded for our efforts, then we'll hopefully get a couple of good players in the building.” One player who is already in the building – on loan AEK Athens left-back James Penrice – enjoyed a dream debut against St Mirren. He scored once and assisted another. “He added real balance and quality,” said McInnes, who told the 27-year old to tap into his boyish enthusiasm for game. “Just be a boy and play fitba’,” he said. Penrice’s teammates threw off the shackles too. “I am pleased for the players first and foremost,” said McInnes. “It is not easy when you are not getting wins and it is up to me to try to instil confidence but it is also up to them to work for their confidence. I am also pleased for the supporters. There was a lot of optimism a few weeks ago and that hasn’t been there the last wee while, it is up to us to build on today.” With Rangers 2-0 up inside 20 minutes after goals from Ryan Naderi and Vanja Dragojevic, McInnes said he finally began to relax. “I probably enjoyed being manager of Rangers for the first time for a period in the first half,” he said. “And then we lost the goal and I didn't enjoy it again!” Comments Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.