Derek McInnes begins his first full season as Rangers manager with a Friday night opener at Dundee United and six league matches to negotiate before the first Old Firm derby at Celtic Park. The 54-year-old signed a three-year contract in June, appointed by a US-based consortium that took over the club and, according to BBC Sport analysis, spent a "supposed £40m" last season. BBC Sport

Rangers confirmed McInnes as their men's first-team manager on 17 June, with the deal officially signed days later. Rangers FC His arrival was paired with the club's first signing of the summer window: striker Lawrence Shankland, a Scotland international who joined from Heart of Midlothian on an initial two-year deal with an option for a further year. Rangers FC Shankland has already featured in the starting lineup this season, being substituted late in a match. Rangers FC

The early fixtures carry weight. As contributor Halliday told BBC Sport, McInnes "knows the pressure cooker he's stepping into" at Ibrox. Rangers have stumbled in openers before: a draw at Motherwell last August under the manager referred to as Martin, a draw at Hearts in Philippe Clement's first full-season opener, and a loss at Kilmarnock in Michael Beale's first match. The pattern is what makes the opening weeks a test of nerve as much as tactics. BBC Sport

Halliday's prescription is blunt. Rangers, he said, must win every game before that first trip across Glasgow to face Celtic. "There have been too many cases in the past where Rangers have gone into the first Old Firm of the season feeling they have to win." The Old Firm — the fixture between Rangers and Celtic, Scotland's two dominant clubs — sets the tone for the entire campaign. BBC Sport

Dan Neil has served as Rangers captain under McInnes, though former Rangers striker Kris Boyd said he would not rule out Shankland taking the armband. Yahoo Sport Halliday, speaking on the club's Facebook page, praised both early summer arrivals — McInnes as manager and Shankland as player — as the right foundation for the 2026/27 season. Rangers FC

The European picture adds another layer. McInnes is, in BBC Sport's words, "an unknown quantity in Europe, having only managed in qualifiers" — the preliminary rounds that precede the group stage — and would need to navigate two ties to reach the Europa League proper. BBC Sport

For Rangers supporters, the ingredients are there: a new manager who knows Scottish football, a proven goalscorer up front, and owners willing to spend. The question is whether it all clicks before that first Friday under the lights at Tannadice — and whether six wins follow before the short trip east to Celtic.