Rangers meeting Q&A: Derek McInnes-Jurgen Klopp comparison, 'club became used to finishing second' admission and new signings update

Rangers chairman Andrew Cavanagh believes the Ibrox side have become used to finishing second or worse over the last 15 years, and admits that failure had begun to "seep through" every corner of the club.

He was speaking at the club's shareholders' meeting, where it was also revealed they expect to add three to five more players this window, while Derek McInnes' appointment was compared to that of former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

It was also confirmed that Rangers have asked for an explanation over Hibernian's penalty in Sunday's 2-1 defeat as refereeing concerns were raised.

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Chairman Andrew Cavenagh, Paraag Marathe of the San Francisco 49ers [who are part of the US consortium who took over the club], executive director Fraser Thornton and chief executive officer Jim Gillespie addressed a number of club issues and answered questions from the floor.

Here are some of the key takeaways...

On Derek McInnes

• During the meeting, one shareholder asked why Derek McInnes, the man they wanted to ask questions to after a winless start to the season, was absent. Andrew Cavenagh explained that the panel had been arranged months ago and that McInnes' focus was at the training ground to help prepare the team.
• When asked later about the process behind hiring McInnes, Jim Gillespie said you can either hire a 'Klopp' or a 'Guardiola' type. He said McInnes fitted the 'Klopp' type of being a manager who wants his teams to be agressive, on the front foot and attack the opposition.
• During the summer when McInnes was appointed, Sky Sports News revealed he was the only candidate who was spoken to, and Gillespie defended that by adding he was the only option Ibrox chiefs felt "ticked all the boxes".
• Cavenagh reminded shareholders that "culture eats strategy for breakfast", and when speaking about standards, revealed people had been late to training and not eating well. He went on to say he believed McInnes was the right man to address this.

On Recruitment

• Multiple shareholders raised concerns about player recruitment. However, Cavenagh defended the work in that department, adding he believes the squad is better than it was 12 months ago.
• He admitted the team still requires between three and five more players before the end of the transfer window.
• The meeting was called following a £16m share issue. Cavenagh confirmed that was needed to get the club through this "significant" summer transfer window. He added the club "will need more capital going forward".
• Marathe insisted that they were "building something special" and referenced Youssef Chermiti's performances in the second half of last season, after initially struggling with the pressure of his price tag and playing for Rangers.

• On Chermiti, the club hierarchy were asked why he was selected for Sunday's match against Hibernian despite being the subject of a bid from Galatasaray. The striker was subsequently stretched off injured in the first half of that defeat.
• It was explained that to accept a bid, Rangers need their value of the player to be met, and for sufficient time to reinvest those funds in the squad to make it equal or better. They reiterated there is no pressure to sell.

On Refereeing standards

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• Gillespie said that Rangers should be a leading club and want to have a constructive relationship with the Scottish FA and SPFL, while also holding both to account.
• He was interrupted by a shareholder who said: "It's not working. It's been going on for years, nothing happens."
• Marathe replied: "You're not wrong" but backed up Gillespie by saying, "we can't make it worse, we can't be in any more of what feels like a disadvantage".
• Marathe added "he couldn't believe" the decision to award Hibernian a penalty in the first half of Sunday's match at Ibrox. Gillespie confirmed that Rangers have made contact with the Scottish FA to seek an explanation.

On Ibrox stadium

• Marathe - who has overseen stadium expansion at Leeds United and the 49ers - discussed possible changes at Ibrox.
• He said there would be news on that soon, while revealing one proposal is to lower the pitch at Ibrox, adding 5,000 to 6,000 seats.
• It was also revealed, following fan surveys, a number of other ideas have been through a feasibility group and seen by architects.

Call for unity

• Cavenagh, who was personally thanked for his communication and commitment by multiple shareholders while asking questions, closed the meeting by saying: "We need unity, we're in this together, please remember that."
• This came just after Marathe asked the audience for their support. "We need them [the team] to believe that you believe in them. Give them a chance, give these boys a chance."

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