McInnes says 19-day gap leaves Rangers short of preparation for Kilmarnock

Rangers boss frustrated by extended international break

Derek McInnes says Rangers will have had little time to prepare together for Kilmarnock’s visit after an extended international break separated the squad for 19 days following their win over Celtic on 20 September.

Thirteen Rangers players were away on international duty. McInnes said the full squad would not train together until Friday, the day before the match, despite players returning to the club earlier in the week.

“By the time we get on to the pitch together tomorrow it’ll be 19 days since the Celtic game,” McInnes said. “That’s longer than a lot of tournaments for a lot of countries. I know it’s set in stone – but I’m not a fan of it to be honest.”

He acknowledged the demands international travel places on players and their families, while saying the prolonged absence also creates concern for clubs. The players, he said, had been “working with different staff and travelling all over the world for four games”.

Rangers look to sustain winning run

Rangers entered the break on a six-match winning streak, including victories over Celtic in both the League Cup and the Scottish Premiership. McInnes, named Premiership manager of the month for September after four league wins from four, said he had “no illusions” that the team must maintain its form.

McInnes also revealed he had lunch at the training ground with Sir Alex Ferguson. He said the former Manchester United manager had discussed the difficult beginnings of his own tenure at Old Trafford and offered reassurance that a campaign is judged by how it ends, not how it starts.

“He thought we were really strong on the performance at Celtic Park in particular,” McInnes said.