McInnes sends message to Rangers signing who has barely featured this season

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Derek McInnes insists Vanja Dragojevic will play his part for Rangers this season, despite struggling for game time following his summer move.

Dragojevic joined the Scottish Premiership giants from Serbian outfit Partizan for €5million (£4.1m) in July, signing a four-year deal at Ibrox Stadium.

However, he has been an unused substitute in eight of the last nine games, receiving just four minutes of football against Celtic in the League Cup last month.

The 20-year-old midfielder has not started for Rangers since the 1-0 loss at Jablonec in the second leg of their Conference League qualifier in August.

McInnes considered using Dragojevic in the second half of the 4-0 Premiership win over St. Johnstone on Saturday - but deployed Tochi Chukwuani instead.

However, the Rangers boss is adamant Dragojevic is still a part of his plans, saying his “time will come” over the next few weeks.

McInnes said after the St. Johnstone game: “I can't please all the players all the time and I can't please all the supporters who want this player to play, or that player to play a wee bit more.

“It's a juggling act, to be honest. Sometimes you make substitutions knowing what's ahead of you and with the games coming up. Some people need to earn the right to play and earn their minutes.

“I understand the support for Vanja. I love the fact that the fans love him, and we love him as a boy as well. His time will come.”

Dragojevic will hope to feature when Rangers travel to Hearts for a mouth-watering Premiership encounter at Tynecastle on Wednesday.

One summer signing who has earned plenty of minutes of late is Kevin Kelsy, who scored two goals for Rangers against St. Johnstone.

The 22-year-old moved to Govan from Major League Soccer (MLS) side Portland Timbers in September and has scored four goals in seven games.

Kelsy is aiming to find the back of the net once again when Rangers make the trip to Hearts, who will first travel to Motherwell in the Premiership this afternoon.

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