Nervous times for Aberdeen over boss McInnes

LOSING to Aberdeen at Pittodrie normally brings Rangers directors out in a bout of indigestion. Tomorrow a defeat would be a little easier to swallow than normal. Derek McInnes didn’t do a lot to convince Ibrox supporters he deserves to be their next manager last Wednesday. Win the Pittodrie return and he becomes an easier proposition to sell. The Dons boss (below) might have nipped the persistent questions of journalists in the bud by affirming his commitment to Aberdeen last week. But there’s nothing he can do to stop the rumours. Or the lingering notion that, so long as Rangers have a vacancy, he’s the obvious choice. And may even be appointed as soon as Monday. None of this is new, of course. McInnes has been joining Rangers every Monday since Pedro Caixinha was sacked five weeks ago. The rumours have been the one constant during a dithering five-week search for a new boss. Most of them have been misguided nonsense drummed up by publicity-hungry bookies. Yet, despite the efforts of Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne, the Rangers chat hasn’t gone away. By Thursday morning’s Ibrox AGM, it was the talk of the steamie. Back with a vengeance. Dons fans think this is the fevered, wishful-thinking stirring of the Glasgow Laptop Loyal. Aided and abetted by a sense of entitlement amongst Rangers fans. If or when the call comes and Rangers agree to the hefty compensation, Dons fans hope and believe McInnes will stay put. They might well be right. It’s not done until it’s done. But it’s not a state of denial they need to adopt now. It’s the brace position.