BACK AT CAIXINHA
From Back Page after five years of hearing empty promises – and it’s Caixinha’s job to finish above Celtic rather than the Dons.
He also pointed the finger at the Portuguese for breaking the unwritten rule of management by discussing another club’s player. And he insisted EVERY manager in the Premiership would finish second with the budget at Rangers’ disposal.
McInnes said: “I found it all a bit strange, I don’t know why he’s commenting so much on us. If he thinks them being on the up and being brilliant by finishing above Aberdeen is good work by him then he’s way off the mark.
“Any SPFL manager with the budget he has, which is five or six times what we’ve got, should be finishing second.
“They should be embarrassed they’ve not finished second.
“The Rangers fans are used to having people do a lot of talking towards them, whether that’s owners, managers or players saying what they want to hear.
“The reality is the job of a Rangers manager is to finish above Celtic.
“So if he thinks he’s going to do a brilliant job by finishing above Aberdeen he’ll quickly realise that’s not enough.
“He likes to say what the Rangers fans want to hear. But the Rangers fans can’t be kidded because they have been over that course before.
“Rangers should be finishing second with the budget they have. But I don’t think they should be delighted with that.”
McInnes was especially irked at Caixinha waxing lyrical about his captain.
The Ibrox gaffer admitted he’s scouted the midfielder but McInnes is still convinced the player is heading to England.
He said: “At this stage of the season you always get asked about players and speculation.
“And it’s normally the unwritten rule we don’t talk about other teams’ players. That’s how most people manage.
“I don’t think he should be speaking about one of my players. I have spoken to Ryan often enough and he’s told me his intention is to go to England if he doesn’t stay here. I have to take him at his word.”
McInnes bristled at Caixinha’s suggestion Aberdeen’s challenge would be difficult to maintain next season as they face a summer rebuild with Jack, Niall McGinn and Peter Pawlett set to exit and Ash Taylor yet to pen a new deal.
The Dons boss added: “The Aberdeen fans can be assured if we lose good players we’ll sign good players. I am used to building squads, I have experience of doing that over the last 10 years.
“We operate in a league where others will spend more but it’s about making the most of what you have.
“I’m confident we will have a competitive team next season regardless of what others are doing.”