Rangers delivered a powerful statement at Ibrox with a 4-0 thrashing of St Johnstone that restored momentum after a frustrating midweek draw.
The emphatic victory gave Derek McInnes fresh belief in the attacking identity he has built since taking charge in June.
It also shone a bright light on one summer signing still searching for his first goal contribution.
Rangers Bounce Back Strongly in Scottish Premiership Title Race
The result arrived at the perfect time for the Light Blues.
A 2-2 draw against Dundee had interrupted a strong winning run and allowed Celtic to keep their advantage at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
McInnes needed a response. His players provided one in style.
Rangers controlled large periods of the contest and looked sharp in transition.
The performance underlined the progress made under the new manager and kept the title challenge firmly alive.
McInnes Continues to Shape His Preferred Style
Since arriving at Ibrox the Rangers boss has reshaped the squad with purpose.
Fresh options arrived across the pitch during the summer window and the team now presses higher and attacks with greater urgency.
Quick transitions and direct wing play have become trademarks of McInnes’s side.
Yet the manager still wants more consistency in the final third as the season intensifies.
Saturday’s display offered clear encouragement on that front.
Standout Contributors in the St Johnstone Rout
Several players caught the eye against St Johnstone.
Loan signing Badredine Bouanani continues to look lively and dangerous whenever he receives the ball.
Djeidi Gassama produced an excellent assist that opened up the visitors and sparked the scoring spree.
Their contributions were important. One other summer arrival, however, drew special attention from the manager for reasons that went beyond the scoreline.
Min-Su Kim’s Growing Influence Despite Missing Numbers
South Korean winger Min-Su Kim is still searching for his first goal or assist in a Rangers shirt.
The 20-year-old has made eight appearances and started seven of them since the club paid a reported £8.5 million to bring him from Girona.
His early performances have already shown why McInnes rates him so highly.
Kim’s movement, pressing and confidence on the ball give Rangers a different dimension on the flanks.
After the St Johnstone win the manager spoke with clear appreciation for the youngster’s overall game.
McInnes Praises Work Rate and Threat
McInnes highlighted Kim’s counter-pressing, work rate and attacking threat in glowing terms.
The Rangers boss revealed that the winger’s frustration at his scoring record has become a regular topic of conversation.
Kim has struck the woodwork twice in recent matches and feels every near miss deeply.
“It’s the first thing he talks about when he hasn’t scored, and I’m trying to get him away from that,” McInnes explained.
“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.”
The manager continued: “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.”
“Obviously, he doesn’t get his goal. Bouanani got one last week, which was great, and Gassama got a brilliant assist today. Minsu did everything but score.”
“I’m fortunate that we’ve got good wide players, but they know the importance of getting their numbers up, and nobody feels that more than Minsu.”
Tactical Value Beyond Goals and Assists
Kim’s statistics do not yet match his influence on matches.
He has zero goals and zero assists after eight appearances, yet his contribution remains significant.
His ability to drift inside creates space for overlapping full-backs and opens passing lanes between the opposition midfield and defence.
That movement forces defenders into difficult decisions and helps Rangers disrupt organised back lines.
For a side chasing Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race, such tactical intelligence carries real value.
How Kim Fits McInnes’s Pressing System
McInnes demands that his wide players work hard without the ball and then attack at speed once possession is regained.
Kim already follows those instructions with impressive consistency.
His counter-pressing helps Rangers win the ball high up the pitch and launch quick attacks.
The two efforts that hit the woodwork against St Johnstone showed he is also close to adding the end product that currently frustrates him.
Those near misses suggest the goals and assists will arrive with continued patience and support.
Recent Form and League Context
Rangers have looked increasingly coherent under McInnes in recent weeks.
The seven-game winning run that was interrupted by the Dundee draw demonstrated growing confidence and tactical clarity.
The 4-0 victory over St Johnstone restored the positive momentum at a crucial stage of the campaign.
Celtic still hold the advantage in the Scottish Premiership title race, yet every emphatic home win keeps the pressure high.
Ibrox remains a difficult venue for visiting teams when Rangers play with this intensity.
Fan Reaction to Kim’s Displays
Supporters have largely embraced the young South Korean despite the missing goal contributions.
Many fans recognise the quality of his running and pressing even when the final ball or shot does not quite land.
Social media discussions after the St Johnstone match praised his willingness and overall threat.
Some supporters have called for greater patience, arguing that an £8.5 million investment in a 20-year-old needs time to mature.
Others note that the club’s wider attacking options allow Kim the space to develop without excessive pressure.
Should Rangers Continue Backing Their £8.5m Winger?
The question of whether to keep full faith in Kim is now being discussed more widely.
His lack of goals and assists has raised natural questions about output versus influence.
Yet McInnes has made his own position abundantly clear through public praise.
The manager sees a player whose work rate and tactical understanding already strengthen the side.
Judging an £8.5 million signing solely on early statistics would overlook the broader contribution.
Long-Term Contract Gives Rangers Control
Kim’s reported deal runs until 2030 and includes an option for a further year.
That length of contract gives the club significant control and time to develop his finishing and decision-making.
Selling a young winger before he fully settles would risk undermining the summer recruitment plan unless an exceptional offer arrived.
The board must weigh any future interest against the sporting project McInnes is building.
Backing the player through this early phase aligns with the long-term vision at Ibrox.
What Comes Next for Min-Su Kim
The immediate task for Kim is clear.
He must continue making the right runs, creating pressure and helping Rangers control matches.
At the same time he needs to convert more of those promising moments into goals and assists.
McInnes wants him to judge performances more broadly rather than obsess solely over numbers.
That mental adjustment could unlock the next level of his game.
Wide Options Give McInnes Flexibility
Rangers currently possess several capable wide players.
Bouanani, Gassama and others provide competition and different profiles.
That depth allows McInnes to manage workloads and give Kim the platform to grow.
It also means the team does not rely on any single individual for creativity on the flanks.
Healthy competition should only accelerate Kim’s development.
Title Race Intensity Raises the Stakes
Every match in the Scottish Premiership now carries extra weight.
Celtic remain the side to catch and any slip can prove costly.
Rangers need consistent performances from their attacking players if they are to close the gap.
Kim’s ability to disrupt defences and press aggressively already helps that cause.
Turning that influence into more tangible numbers would make him an even more valuable asset in the run-in.
McInnes’s Clear Message to the Board
Through his post-match comments the Rangers manager has sent a clear signal.
He values Kim’s contribution highly and wants the player protected from excessive external pressure.
The club’s hierarchy must decide whether to fully back that assessment as interest from elsewhere potentially grows.
Supporting a young talent through an early goal drought often proves the difference between long-term success and short-term regret.
McInnes has placed his trust in the 20-year-old. The coming weeks will show whether that trust is shared across the club.
Rangers look a more coherent and dangerous side when their wide players perform with the intensity Kim already shows.
Patience with the finishing will likely be rewarded if the overall quality continues.
The 4-0 win over St Johnstone provided another reminder of the progress being made under McInnes.
Keeping key young talents such as Min-Su Kim central to that project feels like the smartest long-term approach for a club determined to challenge at the top of the Scottish Premiership.