McLeish says Del should move on
ALEX McLEISH reckons the time could be right for Derek McInnes to leave Aberdeen and test himself south of the border once again.
The Dons boss is on the brink of a switch to Sunderland as Black Cats chief executive Martin Bain looks to appoint Davie Moyes’ successor.
McInnes led his side to second spot in the Premiership this term but missed out on League Cup and Scottish Cup glory as Celtic emerged victorious on two occasions at Hampden.
And former Pittodrie hero McLeish can see the attraction of a move to the Stadium of Light if McInnes does depart in the coming days.
He told SportTimes: “You would think that it would be a good time for him.
“I don’t want the Aberdeen fans to lose their highly-rated manager but when you look at Derek’s career it would be a step up. Sunderland are a big club and the Championship is one of the best supported leagues in the world.
“It is a huge opportunity for Derek, if Sunderland were to appoint him.”
The loss of McInnes would be another huge blow for Aberdeen as they look to retain their status as best of the rest this season.
The Dons have already seen Ryan Jack clinch a move to Ibrox and Ash Taylor, Niall McGinn and Peter Pawlett leave the club.
But McLeish insists his former club can still challenge at the sharp end of the standings next term.
“Rangers have got to prove that they can get above them,” he said.
“That doesn’t just happen because two or three players leave or the manager leaves.
“You can sense that there is a bit of a break-up and a rebuild there. But Dave Cormack is going to help and put some money in so maybe that will be key.
“If you are a Rangers player, the expectation is that you win every week and that is what this team will have to learn quickly.”