Derek McInnes has ‘story to tell’ over rejecting Rangers move
Derek McInnes admits he has a “story to tell” about rejecting the chance to become Rangers manager back in 2017.
The then-Aberdeen manager was the favourite to replace Pedro Caixinha at the time but surprisingly pulled out of the race.
McInnes, who played for Rangers in the 1990s and was touted by some to replace Michael Beale before Philippe Clement got the job (Aberdeen Live, 3 October), spoke to legendary Gers manager Walter Smith about the role, and also admitted he one day has something to reveal about what went down.
Speaking to the Scottish Daily Mail in quotes reported by the Daily Record (28 October), McInnes said: “I did have a long chat with the gaffer [back in 2017]. Listen, I have a story to tell about that whole episode. It’s not the time to do it now. I felt that Walter wanted me to be the Rangers manager, but he also had his concerns for me with it.
“It was his advice and, while he left me in no doubt that it was my decision, he was involved in every step of the way there. The gaffer had an influence on most of my big decisions. And when I look back now, I wish I had spoken to him MORE to be honest.”
Ship has probably sailed
McInnes’ is a name that often crops up whenever Rangers need a new manager, and the now-Kilmarnock boss was even linked with the post after Michael Beale was sacked at the start of October.
Ultimately, Clement was the man picked as the successor and in truth there never seemed any long-standing substance to the rumours that Rangers wanted to bring McInnes back to Ibrox, with other candidates always more prominent.
It does feel a little bit now like the ship has sailed. It would be interesting, of course, to hear the reasons why did not take over in 2017 when he was at Aberdeen but only out of morbid curiosity.
In the present day, Rangers – beaten by Kilmarnock on the opening day – have had a tumultuous campaign and the focus really is on building some momentum with Clement and closing the gap on Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. Let’s hope they can continue to do that.
In other Rangers news, the club’s relationship with the SPFL is surely beyond breaking point after an announcement on Friday.