Derek McInnes applauding fans
Derek McInnes Imago

Three Rangers players who still have it all to prove despite Celtic domination

Scott Mason

Correspondent AUTHORITY Sports journalist with experience at GamingINTEL and GRV Media; University of Wolverhampton graduate. FOCUS Data content, opinion, and general news coverage across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Scott utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, broad-spectrum reporting. He provides the data and opinion foundations behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

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Rangers 3-0 domination over bitter rivals Celtic has certainly lifted the mood.

The early weeks of Derek McInnes' tenure had left a familiar feeling, seen far too often at Ibrox over the years.

Had Rangers made the wrong managerial hire?

While it has not been the start hoped for by the Rangers manager, that victory will do him all the world of good and ease some pressure.

And for many in the squad, it can be the start of a turnaround for their Rangers career.

As truthfully, while that was a momentous result, plenty still have much left to prove for the Bears.

Why Dan Neil is not out of the Rangers woods yet

Since arriving from Sunderland as a free transfer, Dan Neil has struggled to make his print on this Rangers squad.

Titled with the honour of captain in the absence of Lawrence Shankland had seemingly boosted his energy and workrate.

His performance against Celtic was elite, and if that is the level he can continously reach, then the Bears have a proper player on their hands.

However, one top performance, even if on a stage such as the Old Firm, is not enough to move the overall needle.

Neil still has it all to prove, and fans will be eagerly awaiting to see if he can repeat his tricks when a rematch in the Scottish Premiership takes place at Celtic Park on Sunday, 20 September.

Derek McInnes applauding fans
Three Rangers questions to emerge over past seven days include Old Firm power shift and McInnes' momentum

Cammy Devlin faces tough Rangers road ahead, here's why

Similarly to Neil, Cammy Devlin has had a tough path at Ibrox so far, with a string of relatively poor performances under his belt so far.

At Ibrox on Sunday, Devlin was rooted to the bench, and was an unused substitute.

With Nicolas Raskin staying put until at least January, Neil looking to come back into form, and the likes of Vanja Dragojevic and Tochi Chukwuani in the squad, minutes may be far and few between.

Devlin can only begin to turn things around by proving himself in training, and perhaps he will get further chances.

But he has not started in any of the Gers' last three fixtures.

Emmanuel Fernandez beginning to turn corner, but one problem still lies

Emmanuel Fernandez has had a rocky start to the season, and against Celtic he looked back to himself - at least for the most part.

The Nigerian international still had a couple of shaky moments, and it was his defensive partner Olwethu Makhanya who truly took centre stage.

If this is the start of Fernandez beginning to come out of his poor form, McInnes has an imperious defensive duo at the back.

Like Neil, Sunday's test at Celtic Park will be a true barometer of where he is at with the Ibrox club.

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