McInnes demands sharper finishing after Rangers reach League Cup final

Rangers reached the League Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen at Hampden Park, but manager Derek McInnes said his side must improve their work in front of goal. Ryan Naderi struck in the 83rd minute to settle the semi-final, extending Rangers' unbeaten run to 11 matches and putting McInnes within one win of his first major trophy as Ibrox manager.

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According to BBC Sport Scotland's report, Rangers had 74% possession and registered 25 shots, with only five on target before Naderi's close-range finish. McInnes told BBC Scotland that reaching the final had been the immediate objective. However, he said the limited number of efforts testing the goalkeeper reflected poor decisions, a problem he had also seen in other matches.

The manager called for improved performances alongside continued victories before the final in December. He said everyone involved had a responsibility to help the team get better, despite the successful result. Rangers' defensive record has supported their recent run: the shutout against Aberdeen was their seventh clean sheet during the 11-match unbeaten sequence.

Naderi's winner provided another important contribution from a forward who joined from Germany's third tier in February. BBC Sport Scotland reported that he had scored eight goals and had also supplied the decisive finish in Rangers' 1-0 league victory at Celtic Park. His performances have helped Rangers during the absences of Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti.

McInnes said the team could do more to give Naderi suitable service. He wanted more deliveries into the penalty area, with greater quality, to make use of the striker's strengths. The manager credited him with making an impact in important games, while maintaining that better supply from his team-mates could produce more from the forward.

The final offers McInnes the chance to secure the second major trophy of a managerial career spanning more than 800 matches. He said regularly reaching Hampden finals should be an expectation for Rangers. While he welcomed giving supporters a final to anticipate, his response to the Aberdeen win remained focused on raising the team's level before they compete for the trophy.