HE’S THE ONE
Rangers could make move for their top target McInnes as early as next week
RANGERS top target Derek McInnes last night refused to rule out a move to Ibrox as Pedro Caixinha’s replacement.
The Aberdeen boss is the first choice of Rangers directors to return to the club where he played for five years and a formal approach could come as soon as next week.
McInnes signed a lucrative contract extension until 2020 after turning down a move to Sunderland in the summer and the compensation bill could be as high as £1.5million. He enjoys a strong relationship with Dons chairman Stewart Milne and, speaking before today’s home clash with Ross County, declined to be drawn on the latest speculation over his future.
‘I’ve been used to speculation here in the past when I’ve supposedly been linked with other clubs a couple of times and with Rangers,’ he said.
‘It is what it is. I’ve been used to it in my time here. My job is at Aberdeen and I’ve stated often enough how happy I am here and nothing has changed on that. I am probably luckier than most because I have
that stability and relationship with the chairman. ‘He has had the experience he has here and thankfully the majority of the time I’ve been here has been good. ‘Having that relationship and confidence with your chairman is vitally important.’ Aberdeen suffered a 3-0 home defeat to champions Celtic on Wednesday, with Caixinha’s Rangers fate settled by a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock. ‘I am only focused on us getting back to winning ways after the other night and the Ross County game,’ said McInnes. ‘It’s no distraction, the players were in after the Celtic game and we’re looking for a reaction to that game. ‘It was a sore one for us but I have been encouraged by the way they have gone about their work.’ McInnes endured a fractious relationship with Caixinha, but expressed sympathy for a former manager after the Portuguese coach was axed with a £400,000 pay-off after seven months in charge. ‘It’s always sad to see a manager lose his job because I understand the pressures of the job,’ added McInnes. ‘There is a solidarity between all managers. We are not even out of October and over a third of the Premiership have changed managers already. ‘That shows how fickle the job is, regardless of what club is involved. ‘I have looked at some of the casualties this season and some seem more harsh than others.’