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Rangers set-piece coach Simon Ireland departs Ibrox

Claudia Moloney-MacDonald of England has a laugh with wife Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald of Ireland after the Women's Six Nations Rugby match between England Women and Ireland Women at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, UK on 11 April 2026.

Set-piece coach Simon Ireland has vacated his Rangers role shortly after his late July arrival to replace Scott Fry. The Herald claims Ireland has missed recent matchday squads extending back into August.

McInnes Demands Delivery Improvements

Rangers secured a recent victory against Celtic where Nicolas Raskin had a headed free-kick goal ruled out for offside. The manager recently demanded more threat from corners and free-kicks following the end of James Tavernier’s decade-long tenure over dead balls.

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“I do think set plays are a vitally important component in any game now,” McInnes told The Herald. “I think we’ve struggled a wee bit in terms of set-piece takers.”

Rebuilding Attacking Threat

McInnes highlighted winger Badredine Bouanani and defender James Penrice as potential candidates to assume delivery duties. “I think [Badredine] Bouanani has got a bit of quality that can maybe help with that,” McInnes added.

The manager acknowledged that strong targets require precise service to succeed. The coaching shift means McInnes must rapidly evaluate tactical attacking options within his remaining backroom staff.

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“I do think you can set up and have targets and areas to hit; you can have good size and good determination, but without the delivery, everything becomes a bit more difficult,” McInnes confirmed.

Rangers next face a Premiership trip to Celtic on Sunday 20 September.

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