Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DELT A BLOW Top Ibrox manager target Mcinnes decides to stay put with Aberdeen
DEREK MCINNES has vowed to focus his efforts on Aberdeen after he stunned Rangers by rejecting a move to Ibrox.
The Dons boss has finally ended the six-week saga surrounding his future by committing himself to Pittodrie.
The 46-year-old had spent the last two days in talks with chairman Stewart Milne after Rangers’ request to speak to him was rebuffed late on Tuesday.
But he has now sent the
Light Blues hurtling back to square one in their search for Pedro Caixinha’s replacement by confirming he and assistant Tony Docherty will be staying put.
Having left preparation for tonight’s trip to Dundee in the hands of youth team boss Paul Sheerin and coach Barry Robson over the past 48 hours, Mcinnes says he is now ready to get back down to business.
Confirming he would not be rejoining the club he supported and later played for, Mcinnes said: “I’ve had a lot to consider over the last couple of days and I appreciate it’s been a testing time for everyone, including my family, and I’m pleased to be now totally focusing purely on on-the-field matters.”
It took Rangers chairman Dave King 40 days to make his move but with last week’s double-header against Aberdeen out of the way the Glasgow giants finally blinked. Rangers won both games and it appeared Mcinnes was edging towards the Pittodrie exit when he failed to lead his team out for training on both Wednesday and Thursday.
But in a shock turn of events, it was confirmed shortly before 6pm last night that Rangers had failed to prise him 4/6 Graeme Murty; 11/2 Alex Mcleish; 11/1 Aitor Karanka; 16/1 Ange Postecoglou, Steve Mclaren; 20/1 Frank de Boer, Michael O’neill, Tommy Wright, Walter Smith, Karl Robinson away. It is the second time in six months Mcinnes has opted against leaving Pittodrie, after he also turned down Sunderland.
Milne (inset) said last night: “Derek appreciates all that he has at this club and feels he wants to keep driving the club forward.”
Rangers, in a statement, said: “After the two games against Aberdeen, we requested permission to engage with their manager to assess his readiness and willingness to consider the Rangers position. This was declined.
“We were subsequently made aware by Aberdeen’s statement that, at this stage in his career, it would be best for him to remain in his current post.
“We endorse that position because moving to a massive club like Rangers is a big step with concomitant risk.
“We continue to consider candidates but will only appoint someone in whom we have full confidence and who feels he is ready for the job.”