First taste of strife in Bristol was the making of McInnes
NO sooner had Mark Warburton exited than Derek McInnes was being touted to be the next Rangers manager.
Making Aberdeen a force again in Scottish football has been a welcome addition on the former St Johnstone manager’s CV.
But former Dundee United, Celtic and Scotland defender, Mark Wilson, believes the darkest days of McInnes’ time in management are just as significant.
McInnes parted company with Bristol City in January, 2013. The club was in a relegation fight at the time, but the previous season the Scot had worked wonders with the English Championship side. Wilson, now manager of Airdrie, was in the playing squad at Ashton Gate and admired the way McInnes coped with the situation.
“I think Derek is a terrific manager,” said Wilson. “During our time together in Bristol, I could see his qualities.
“I thoroughly enjoyed his training sessions. They were always different and you could tell a lot of thought and preparation had gone into them from him and his coaching staff.
“Players appreciate that and it raises the standard from the moment you walk on to the training pitch.
“There is no doubt he had a great relationship with the players but results went against him.
“The biggest problem for Derek was what was going on behind the scenes at Bristol City. The club was going through a bad time and he suffered.
“But having to deal with the problems he faced there on a day- to- day basis was, with the benefit of hindsight, one of the best things to happen to him.
“It would have allowed him to see the other side of the coin after enjoying a smooth relationship with Geoff Brown at St Johnstone, a club that always functions in a professional manner.”
Three months after parting company with the Robins, McInnes was in at Aberdeen, and in 2014 he led them to the League Cup, the club’s first piece of silverware in 20 years.
“I wasn’t surprised to see Aberdeen go for Derek and he has been an inspirational appointment,” saidWilson.
“He has turned the place around and they are now a dominant force again.
“He has taken on the challenge of the huge demands of the Aberdeen fans and got them fully onside. That shows his strength of character and will to win.
“He has delivered success and put in an excellent challenge for the league title last season.
“To do that on the size of budget he has is testament to his ability. He’s only
had a modest transfer kitty to bring in a player or two, here and there.
“So, when you weigh everything up, it’s no wonder he is being linked with Rangers. He has to be a serious contender.
“My personal opinion is that Derek is a very good fit for Rangers. He has played for the club, comes from the west of Scotland and knows exactly what would be required to move the club up a level or two from the very off.
”But I suppose it may also depend on the level of compensation Aberdeen would be entitled to, and also the way Rangers wants to structure itself as it moves forward.
“Not every manager would want to work under a Director of Football.”
If Wilson is right, and McInnes does eventually go, he has concerns as to how Aberdeen would fill his shoes.
He said: “I’m sure Aberdeen will fight tooth and nail to keep Derek.
“I believe Stewart Milne and the board enjoy an excellent working relationship with Derek and that is a plus point. It could be pivotal on any future developments.
“Whether it’s Rangers or an ambitious English Championship club, Derek will be targeted. That’s a fact of being successful.
“However, the thought of losing Derek can’t be pleasant for Aberdeen. How would they replace him?
“Where does Aberdeen go without Derek? It would take a manager with a good track record and an almighty personality to take over from him.
“What they can do is take comfort from the fact he has assembled a very good squad and improved the transfer value of several players in the market.
“Only last month, two or three of Aberdeen’s players were being quoted as being worth in and around the £1-million mark. It’s been many, many years since that was the case.
“Players want to play for Derek and they work hard for him. Success can’t be achieved unless that is the case.
“He demands 100% every day from his squad and his staff. He doesn’t tolerate slackness and that’s the way it should be.
“If you knuckle down then you will be rewarded.”