The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
McInnes’ tough decision if Rangers come calling
Former Dons boss not surprised by Ibrox interest
Former Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood believes Derek McInnes will be torn if and when the call comes from Rangers.
The Aberdeen manager is top of the shortlist drawn up by the Rangers board to succeed Pedro Caixinha, who was sacked last week.
The Ibrox club is unlikely to make a swift appointment with directors trying to get the funds in place to find a successor for the Portuguese.
Agent Nuno Batista has claimed Caixinha, who was sacked last week, is yet to agree a severance package with Rangers.
Calderwood, who spent five years in charge at Pittodrie, believes it will be a difficult decision for McInnes should Rangers come calling for his services.
He said: “They are two great clubs. He has that history with Rangers as a former player, but it would be a hard one for him to leave Pittodrie.
“He has been a brilliant Aberdeen manager and I know for a fact he loves it there.
“It is going to be a very difficult one for him if Rangers decide he is the man they want.
“They have to ask the question first before he has to make that decision.
“If it was any other team, I don’t think Derek would go anywhere.
“Maybe because he is a Rangers man, who knows?
“He has a great relationship with the Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne, who has backed him all the way.
“It is going to be so difficult for him to make that decision.
“I think he will be completely torn as Aberdeen has done a lot for him.
“They took a chance on him after things didn’t work out for him at Bristol City and he has repaid them by doing a magnificent job.”
Calderwood is not surprised McInnes is the bookmakers’ favourite for the Ibrox job.
Belgian manager Michel Preud’homme, Alan Pardew, Alex McLeish and Walter Smith are also among the early contenders to replace Caixinha.
Calderwood said: “Derek has achieved a huge amount at Aberdeen which has not gone unnoticed.
“Rangers are a great club, but they are in turmoil at this moment in time and would require an overhaul.
“That is something he doesn’t have to do at Aberdeen so he has a lot to weigh up should the chance come along.”