‘I thought Derek McInnes had joined Rangers after training absence’ – Ex-Ibrox midfielder
Rangers have identified Derek McInnes as a possible managerial target yet again.
Rangers sacked Russell Martin on Sunday, and now efforts to hire a new head coach are underway at Ibrox.
McInnes has emerged as a target for Rangers after a stellar opening to the Scottish Premiership season with Hearts.
Rangers have gone after McInnes in the past after the 54-year-old’s successful spells with both Aberdeen and Kilmarnock.
It appears that a move to Govan was once closer than expected for McInnes after he missed training, potentially looking to push a move to G51 over the line.
Derek McInnes missed Aberdeen training amid Rangers links
The Scot is a managerial option alongside Steven Gerrard at Rangers as the board look to land a new boss during the international break.
There are contrasting views among the Bears’ fan base about the potential return of the former Liverpool star.
The general feeling around McInnes is largely positive after what has been a stellar start to life since joining Hearts over the summer.
It looks as if the Light Blues could have landed the ex-Scotland international many years ago.
Former Rangers and Aberdeen midfielder Greg Stewart revealed to the Daily Record on 8 October that the head coach had rejected an Ibrox move previously.
Despite this, the Stirling-born ace suggested that the Dons squad believed McInnes had left for Govan after missing training.
He said: “I don’t know if Derek would come now. I was at Aberdeen when he was approached to become Rangers manager the last time and knocked it back.
“I remember the players all thinking he had left the club because he didn’t show up for training for two days. But things are going really well for him at Hearts, and he’s got the team into a great position.
“Does he really want to leave them when he’s got a chance of winning the league through there?“
Rangers could move on from McInnes approach
McInnes has had the dream start at Tynecastle after departing Kilmarnock just five months ago.
It would prove to be a risk for the Scottish head coach to make a move to a turbulent Ibrox at this stage of the campaign.
The ex-St Johnstone boss has already turned the Gers down in the past, so it feels unlikely that now would be any different.
Targeting other options, such as Gerrard or Danny Rohl, may be wise rather than honing in on McInnes, who may not be interested in the role.
It will be interesting to see how this process reaches its conclusion, but it feels unlikely that it will end with the Scot in Govan.
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