Derek McInnes has wasted no time making his intentions clear at Rangers, revealing the club has a firm transfer priority heading into the remainder of the window as he prepares for his long-awaited managerial debut at Tannadice.
The Ibrox boss has already overseen heavy recruitment since taking the reins, but he is not done yet. McInnes has been open about the fact that more business needs to be done if Rangers are to push where they want to be this season, and he has identified a specific area of the squad that needs strengthening as a matter of urgency.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Dundee United, McInnes described the incoming transfer work as pivotal, signalling that the club are actively working behind the scenes to get the right players through the door before the window slams shut.
One player whose future remains uncertain is Djeidi Gassama. The winger has been part of the squad but McInnes is now assessing whether the Frenchman fits into his plans going forward. The manager has been taking a close look at everyone available to him, and Gassama is among those whose Ibrox future is far from guaranteed under the new regime.
Gassama joined Rangers with plenty of expectation around him, but consistent game time has proved difficult to come by. McInnes will want players who can contribute regularly and fit the system he wants to play, and that assessment period is very much ongoing for a number of fringe players at the club.
The Tannadice fixture represents a significant moment for McInnes personally. It is the game where he finally gets to put his stamp on the team from the dugout in a competitive setting, and there will be plenty of scrutiny on how his side perform against a Dundee United team who will be looking to make life difficult for the Gers.
Rangers have brought in several new faces already during this transfer window, but McInnes has been clear that quantity alone is not enough. The right profile of player matters, and he has pointed to a particular position as the key area where reinforcement is still needed before the deadline.
Fans will be hoping the board back their manager in the market. There has been a sense of renewed energy around Ibrox since McInnes came in, and supporters are keen to see that momentum translate into results on the pitch. A strong showing at Tannadice would go a long way towards building confidence that the club is heading in the right direction.
The Dundee United clash gives McInnes his first real chance to show what his Rangers side can do. All the talk about transfers and squad building means nothing if the performances do not follow, and the manager will know better than anyone that results are what ultimately matter in this job.
With the window still open and more movement expected, this is shaping up to be a busy and defining period for Rangers. McInnes appears determined to get his squad exactly where he wants it, and the coming days could prove crucial in setting the tone for the rest of the season.