Wright hails Mcinnes for support amid fans’ anger
As Scott Wright will quickly discover, ability is only half the battle when it comes to making the grade as a Rangers player.
Having the necessary mentality to cope with the unforgiving demands placed upon those who represent the Ibrox club will be equally crucial to Wright’s prospects of thriving at his new place of work.
If his first media conference as a Rangers player was anything to go by, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder appears ready for the challenge.
Both articulate and candid, Wright is understandably gratified his initial pre-contract agreement with Rangers was superseded by the permanent deal struck with Aberdeen in the closing hours of the winter transfer window on Monday.
But Wright also hinted at the kind of fortitude which will appeal to his new manager Steven Gerrard when he stated he could have handled remaining with Aberdeen for the rest of the season, regardless of the antipathy towards him from an element of the Pittodrie club’s support who infantilely regarded his deal with Rangers as a form of betrayal.
Wright saluted the support of Aberdeen manager Derek Mcinnes throughout the process as he insisted it would not have been awkward for him to see out the campaign for the Dons.
“To be honest with you, no, I don’t think it would have,” said Wright. “Derek Mcinnes has been fantastic with me. We spoke quite often and he said he had my back throughout it, which I felt and I am obviously grateful for.
“I kind of just left that to the people who were dealing with it really. I have obviously had a few conversations with Derek. Once I had signed my pre-contract my head was fully at Aberdeen.
“I thought I would be joining Rangers in the summer.
"I was committed to playing for Aberdeen in every game. Then, on deadline day, I got a call saying the clubs had agreed something and it was time to move on.
"It was just a case of getting myself down to Glasgow, getting my face in the door and getting started.
“It’s great that the clubs managed to agree something and I am a Rangers player now. I am just buzzing to get started.
“It is a big thing for me because it gives me a bit more time to bed in at Rangers.
"It gives me a lot more time to get used to the tactics and just the change from Aberdeen.
"It is something I am really looking forward to.”
Rangers boss Gerrard was equally appreciative of Mcinnes’ handling of the situation and believes the best solution has been found for all parties involved.
“Everyone was aware Scott was coming when we announced the pre-contract and that really changed things from his own personal point of view with the reaction,” said Gerrard.
“What I will say is that Aberdeen tried very hard to keep Scott and they have put an awful lot of work into him.
"Derek mentioned that he really wanted to keep him and tried really hard to do that.
“But in the end I think the right thing for the player was to do it now rather than the summer because things changed when we announced the pre-contract.
"So we move forward now and all the conversations we had with Aberdeen were very amicable and professional which was good.”
Wright faces a tough battle to force his way into a Rangers side already laden with creative talent in the forward areas but he is convinced his own standards will quickly rise.
“Improving as a player is a massive thing for me,” he added.
“This has been my first breakthrough season at Aberdeen, where
I have had a consistent amount of games.
“For that, I will be forever thankful. Now I have become a Rangers player it is exciting for me.
"Improving as a player first and foremost is going to be huge for me. I am here to make my spin on the position, try to make it my own and try to add some value and quality to the team.
“The club itself is a massive draw. It is a massive club. Once I had spoken to the manager and the coaching staff, I really felt that I could improve here as a player and become a better version of myself and take my game to the next level. It is a really exciting time for
me and I can’t wait to get working with them.”
Wright has experience of playing against Gerrard’s team, both for Aberdeen and during his loan spell at Dundee, so already has an appreciation of what will be expected of him.
He goes straight into Gerrard’s squad for tonight’s Premiership fixture against St Johnstone at Ibrox and will be eligible for the rest of their Europa League campaign, his previous appearances in the tournament for Aberdeen at the start of this season no longer an issue under UEFA’S amended regulations.
“It is obviously very exciting for me and it is a good time to become a Rangers player,” said Wright.
“The team is full of confidence. That will hopefully make it a little bit easier for me to come and get settled in.
"I have obviously been in this morning and the boys have been very welcoming so far. I am buzzing to get out to training and meet the rest of the squad. I am fit and ready to go and looking forward to it.”