Why Rangers Manager Derek McInnes Keeps Trusting £8.5m Min-Su Kim
Rangers winger Min-Su Kim has started his Ibrox career with zero goals and zero assists across his first eight appearances in all competitions. Despite the lack of direct end product from the £8.5 million summer signing from Girona, manager Derek McInnes continues to keep the 20-year-old South Korean in his starting lineup.
Counter-Pressing and Wide Movement in Derek McInnes’s Rangers System
McInnes relies on high-intensity defensive work from his wide attackers to power the team’s pressing style. Kim operates primarily on the flank, using his quick movement to drift inward between opposition defensive and midfield lines. This positional variation creates natural passing channels for teammates while opening up wide corridors for overlapping full-backs to push forward.
Out of possession, Kim serves as a key trigger in the team’s immediate counter-press. When Rangers lose the ball in the attacking third, his rapid closing down prevents opponents from launching quick counter-attacks, forcing forced errors or hasty long passes. That defensive running rate allows Rangers to sustain pressure high up the pitch and control the match tempo.
This tactical approach was clearly visible in the recent 4-0 victory over St Johnstone at Ibrox. Coming off a 2-2 draw against Dundee, Rangers used aggressive wide pressing to pin their opponents back, with Kim repeatedly winning back possession and setting up secondary attacking waves despite failing to find the net himself.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 8 |
| Starts | 7 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Shots Hit Woodwork | 2 |
McInnes publicly reinforced his tactical trust in the young winger following the St Johnstone performance, emphasizing that overall team contribution outweighs short-term scoring tallies.
“It’s the first thing he talks about when he hasn’t scored, and I’m trying to get him away from that. He’s so desperate to score and do well. I think it’s clearly annoying him that he’s hit a couple of posts now, but his overall game and his threat were superb today. He’s so willing. His counter-press is magnificent. His confidence in possession, his work rate and the quality he shows throughout the game are outstanding.”