Kim Min-su Shines on Rangers Debut as McInnes' Side Win 1-0 at Aberdeen
Rangers ground out a 1-0 win at Aberdeen, but the story of the afternoon was a 20-year-old South Korean who had barely met his team-mates.
Lawrence Shankland scored the only goal from a 69th-minute penalty after Aberdeen's Happe fouled Djeidi Gassama in the box. It was enough for three points at Pittodrie on a day when the quality on the ball was often poor, with Rangers sitting seventh in the Scottish Premiership after three matches — four points behind city rivals Celtic, who top the table with a perfect nine. Aberdeen sit tenth with three points. SPFL
The real talking point arrived before kick-off. Kim Min-su, signed from Spanish side Girona for a reported £8.5m, was thrown straight into the starting lineup having completed just a single training session with his new colleagues. Rangers manager Derek McInnes made four changes to the team, and Kim repaid the faith with a performance that drew immediate praise. Rangers FC
"He impressed on his debut," McInnes said of the young South Korean, who alongside Gassama stood out as Rangers' brightest attacking players in an otherwise disjointed display. For a player to arrive from a different league, a different country, and look at home inside 90 minutes — that is not routine. BBC Sport
Aberdeen had their own moment of controversy. Kevin Nisbet thought he had headed an equaliser, only for the goal to be disallowed for a foul in the build-up. Aberdeen's official match report described the fixture as close-fought and decided by that moment of contention. Aberdeen FC
Rangers midfielder Dan Neil said the team "showed their character" to hold on for the win. Rangers FC Character was needed, because the squad around Neil is bloated and unsettled. Midfielder Nicolas Raskin was absent from the matchday squad amid uncertainty over his future, with McInnes confirming Rangers had yet to receive an offer for him. The squad reportedly exceeds 30 players, a situation commentator Kris Boyd called unsustainable, urging the club to offload five, six or seven before the transfer window closes. BBC Sport
McInnes is also searching for a striker. Youssef Chermiti's long-term injury has left Rangers short up front, and the club have been linked with a big-money move for Portland Timbers' Kevin Kelsy. The manager said a deal for their primary target was close and he hoped to complete it before Rangers travel to Falkirk on Wednesday. BBC Sport
For Rangers fans, the immediate takeaway is encouraging. A new signing from a foreign league has settled instantly, the team found a way to win ugly on the road, and reinforcements are incoming. The table is not flattering — seventh is not where Rangers expect to be — but the season is three games old and the window is still open. The next week, with a striker arrival and possible departures, will shape what this team becomes.
