GERS IN DEL MOVE D-DAY
From Back Page for their new management team.
McInnes has been the bookies’ favourite to take over at Ibrox since the sacking of Pedro Caixinha six weeks ago.
Last week Dons chairman Stewart Milne insisted McInnes had assured him he would not be quitting his job at Pittodrie, saying the former Rangers midfielder has unfinished business in the north east.
But now Rangers have finally begun the process they hope will bring the Reds boss to Ibrox.
Aberdeen legend Willie Miller has expressed anger over the effect the longrunning saga has had on both the Dons manager and his team.
Former Pittodrie gaffer Miller said: “Rangers should either make a move or issue a statement that Derek is not on their shortlist.
“It needs cleared up as soon as possible for the sake of Aberdeen, McInnes and Scottish football.
“It’s a ridiculous amount of speculation the Dons manager has had to work under and his players have had to cope with.”
But Archie Knox, Sir Alex Ferguson’s No.2 during the Dons’ 1980s glory years as well as a former assistant boss at Ibrox, insisted McInnes had not boxed himself into a corner by endorsing his chairman’s comments he would not leave Aberdeen, arguing it is okay to change your mind.
He said: “People change their minds. What was said one day can be altered the next by circumstances.
“Craig Brown and I changed our minds when we decided to leave Motherwell for Aberdeen.
“Is McInnes the man for Rangers? If you asked their supporters I’m sure they would say he is.
“Aberdeen don’t want to lose him considering the good spell he’s had at Pittodrie
“Would Rangers go foreign again? I’d doubt that and they won’t get a big name from English football.
“So who’s the prime candidate? Unfortunately for Aberdeen it’s McInnes.”
Miller said: “Whether the speculation has had an adverse effect on performances is difficult to say but it hasn’t helped.
“Rangers can’t afford to allow this to drag on longer as it makes the Ibrox board look like they don’t know what they’re doing.”
And Miller reckons the recent games against Rangers were the ideal chance for the Dons to prove they are still second best in Scotland.
But he admits there are now question marks over that claim.
Miller said: “They had the chance but Rangers put them to the sword and deserved their two wins.
“Second spot is still achievable for the Dons but there is a lot of work to do.”