Rangers most recently claimed a trophy by winning the League Cup in 2023, while McInnes secured his only major honour as a manager in that competition with Aberdeen in 2014.
Having earned both cup and league honours during his playing career at Rangers, McInnes is determined to restore the Ibrox club’s domestic significance. His team host Celtic in Sunday’s cup quarter-final at 12:00 BST, followed by another meeting at Celtic Park in the league seven days later.
McInnes acknowledged that Rangers face a difficult cup contest but stressed the importance of playing the tie at home in front of the Ibrox support.
He noted that Rangers are one victory from reaching Hamden and only three wins away from securing a trophy, adding that defeating strong opponents is usually necessary to claim silverware.
The manager said his side must make the encounter equally demanding for Celtic. He expects their rivals to anticipate a difficult challenge and believes the occasion has all the ingredients of an outstanding cup tie.
McInnes added that Rangers must now produce a display capable of delivering victory and, with it, a place in the next round.
He explained that winning would merely provide a foundation for the next challenge, as scrutiny and high-pressure matches are constant. Although fixtures of this magnitude shape opinions about a team, he feels it remains too early in the season to reach sweeping conclusions, whether positive or negative.
McInnes also encouraged his players to remain focused rather than becoming overwhelmed by the significance of the rivalry.
He admitted that maintaining composure is easier in theory than in practice, explaining that players often have less time on the ball than expected. must therefore move it rapidly while preparing for Celtic’s pressing and intensity.
He expects numerous physical contests and individual matchups, suggesting that combining controlled aggression with calm decision-making at the appropriate moments could prove valuable.
McInnes recognised Celtic’s quality, pointing to their status as the leading title winners and the club that has collected the most trophies in recent seasons.
However, he wants Rangers to put themselves back in contention for domestic honours, viewing Sunday’s fixture as an opportunity to move closer to that objective.
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