McInnes on transfer priorities, Shankland & Jablonec

Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media before Rangers host Jablonec in the first leg of their Conference League play-off on Thursday. Here are the key points from the Ibrox boss: \n New signing Kosta Nedeljkovic is in the squad and ready to play - if registered in time - as he has been training with Aston Villa. James Penrice will also feature and McInnes says Rangers now "look a bit stronger than we did a week ago" at full-back. The priority in recruitment now is forward areas, with the club seeking a striker and a winger, two positions which are "the toughest ones" to fill because they make the difference and can "change the whole dynamic of the team". On the search for a number nine, McInnes says: "It wasn't an area we were looking to try and do, but obviously with Youssef [Chermiti's] injury, the lads are all actively trying to find and source good options for us to try and see if we can deliver one. We're poring over different options and different strikers and so we're hoping we can land on the one that we want, and hopefully we can bring them here quickly." After beating St Mirren on Sunday for a belated but "important" first win of his tenure, McInnes says everyone "was a bit brighter, a bit more of a spring in their step" on Monday. He adds: "There's still certain things we need to improve on, clearly, but scoring five goals at home in any sort of game is good shooting. So we've got to take the positives from it, and I thought it was some good performances. So absolutely, going into this game, everything seems a bit easier, a bit more enjoyable when you're winning." On potentially bringing in a new centre-half: "Never say never but the priorities are the top end of the pitch." McInnes says Nicolas Raskin has been a "dream" to work with despite continued speculation over the Belgium midfielder's Ibrox future. On his decision to drop skipper Lawrence Shankland to the bench last weekend, the Ibrox boss says: "Being captain does not guarantee anything, and he accepted that. He is not going to stamp his feet. Somebody has to be club captain and, having had the benefit of working with Lawrence previously, he is a brilliant captain and a brilliant boy. He has a lot to offer." McInnes isn't worried about Shankland's goal return - one in five games so far - because he is "too good not to score on a regular basis". He adds: "Sometimes people can over-emphasise these things. For me, it is a case of letting him play his natural game. The best strikers have that instinctive side to their game, where everything looks natural and seamless. I have no doubt he will do well here." Jablonec are "clearly a well-organised team" and boast "a few good individuals" who can cause danger and McInnes says: "Although I expect a tough game, I expect it to be tougher for them." \n \n \n [BBC] \n