Rangers: What Derek McInnes has said about Ibrox job as shortlist emerges
Derek McInnes is being prominently linked with the Rangers job once again.
The position could come available if Danny Rohl decides to take up the Red Bull Salzburg role.
The two sides are in talks over a compensation package that would leave the Gers looking for a new boss.
The hierarchy have already identified a four-man shortlist and McInnes has been named on, according to several reports.
The 54-year-old has previously turned down the job on several occassions, but the Bears will hope that they can convince him this time.
Ibrox News looks at everything he has previously said about the vacancy when he has been in contention, amid the emergence of a new shortlist.
What has Derek McInnes said about Rangers job in the past?
McInnes was prominently linked with the Gers dugout in 2017, when Pedro Caixinha was dismissed.
However, he chose to stay put at Aberdeen as he was not prepared to leave Pittodrie.
He said: “I had something to consider... but I feel that I wasn’t prepared to walk away just yet.
“I’m really happy here as everybody knows and I wasn’t prepared to tarnish relationships I’ve built over the last wee while.”
He doubled down on that in 2024, claiming that there was a reason he had rejected the role, and people close to him and Gers fans know why.
He said: “I’m not getting into that. I have got so many family and close friends who know my reason.
"Rangers supporters who know my reasons for not taking the job. I will tell my story one day but it’s not for now.”
He then was in the running for the post after Russell Martin's sacking and he again committed to his current club Hearts.
He confirmed that he was “loving life at Hearts” and “absolutely committed”, adding: "I’m the Hearts manager.
"Normally, when managers are doing well, sometimes there can be speculation.
“Equally, when managers aren’t doing well, there can be speculation about their own job, but for us, at Hearts, we are just concentrating on our work.”
Why Rangers need to push the boat out for McInnes
The Bears need to go all out for McInnes this time around if Rohl leaves, as he is clearly the best candidate for the job.
He has significant experience within the Scottish game, and knows what it means to be the Light Blues boss.
That comes from his stint with the Govan club between 1995 and 2000, when he made 34 appearances.
He knows the pressure and the requirements of the supporters, and he also nearly took the Jambos to the league title last season, narrowly missing out to Celtic on the final day.
The Gers would give him a lot of backing in the transfer market and their squad is arguably better, so he may fancy his chances of overhauling Martin O'Neill's side.
The 49ers Enterprises group and Andrew Cavenagh need to make it happen, whatever the cost, as it would put the G51 club in the best possible position for success.