Derek McInnes is already confronting dismissal pressure at Rangers following a dismal start to the campaign.
The Light Blues snapped up McInnes from Hearts early in the summer after Danny Rohl exited Ibrox for RB Salzburg.
McInnes’ hiring was broadly backed, given the sentiment that Rangers required a manager possessing deep familiarity with the Scottish Premiership.
He has enjoyed financial backing in the transfer window as well, with Rangers bringing in 12 new arrivals so far while actively searching for further recruits.
However, Rangers failed to secure victory in either of their initial two Scottish Premiership matches and looked utterly chaotic in European competition.
Following their elimination from Europa League qualifiers by Jagiellonia Bialystok, they subsequently failed to overcome Jablonec in the Conference League play-offs, placing McInnes under intense scrutiny.
Derek McInnes informed of the sole method to rescue his Rangers career Rangers simply must halt the continuous managerial turnover at Ibrox.
That being said, the demand for success at Ibrox is made crystal clear to any head coach assuming the position.
Quite frankly, failing to reach any European group stage this term represents a complete humiliation, an outcome McInnes must personally take responsibility for.
Indeed, Hugh Keevins – writing for the Daily Record – believes that with zero European distraction, McInnes possesses just one path to preserve his employment.
That path requires ensuring Rangers capture the Scottish Premiership crown this season ahead of cross-town rivals Celtic.
He wrote: “If Derek McInnes should see out the season as Rangers’ manager, and it’s too early to be definitive on that subject, he has to win the Premiership title in order to keep his job.”
Keevins later added: “There is a school of thought, of course, that being spared European fixture congestion strengthens Rangers’ bid to win the domestic title.
“That had better be the case or else McInnes will be unemployed between now and next May.”
Is talk of Derek McInnes getting fired at Rangers warranted? McInnes’ stint in charge of Rangers spans merely seven matches.
Under standard circumstances, discussing his potential firing this early would seem somewhat hasty, particularly considering the massive squad overhaul.
Yet Rangers is hardly an average football club. Expectations are immense, and the imperative to deliver trophies is explicitly communicated.
McInnes shares a profound personal connection to Rangers, driving a strong desire across the fan base for his tenure to flourish.
Regrettably, sentimental feelings cannot hide abysmal displays, and Rangers have undoubtedly struggled during the opening weeks of the season.
A failure to overcome Aberdeen at Pittodrie this Sunday will merely compound the tension, leaving McInnes fully conscious that claiming all three points is essential today.