Rangers manager Derek McInnes urged his side to improve despite securing a place in the League Cup final with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen at Hampden Park.
McInnes calls for better decision-making
Ryan Naderi's 83rd-minute winner sent Rangers to the final, where they will face either Hearts or Hibernian in December. The victory extended the team's unbeaten run to 11 matches, but McInnes was not fully satisfied.
"The job was to get the team and the club into a cup final and it's job done by hook or by crook," McInnes told BBC Scotland. "The stats will show possession, 25 shots, but to only have five shots on target isn't good enough. Those stats are similar to what we see most weeks in terms of not enough shots on target and it's bad decision-making."
Rangers dominated with 74% possession and 25 shots, yet only five were on target before Naderi's tap-in. McInnes stressed the need for better quality in the final third.
Naderi's transformation
Naderi, who joined from the German third tier in February, has become a key player. His winner at Hampden added to his crucial goal in the 1-0 league win at Celtic Park. The Czech Republic forward has eight goals this season and has filled the void left by Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti.
Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday said: "Naderi is just a man that is completely transformed this season. Not only is he complimenting that work ethic that's always been there but with goals and effectiveness at the top end of the pitch, it's that man again who comes up with the goods."
McInnes described Naderi as a "parasite" who thrives on service: "We just need to put more balls in the box for him but balls with a bit more quality. He's been a big game player for us already this season."
Trophy drought
Rangers have won only three major trophies since 2012. McInnes wants reaching finals to become the norm. "This needs to be our norm year in year out, that we arrive at Hampden and we put ourselves in a position to lift silverware," he said. "If you don't win this then question marks hang over and it's hard to keep the noise quiet. It gives the supporters something to look forward to, it keeps a feel-good factor about the club."
