McInnes has the credentials to be Ibrox leader one day, says Walter

WALTER SMITH has touted Derek McInnes as future Rangers boss material and backed him to bother Celtic for a long way in this year’s surprise Scottish Premiership title race.

The Ibrox managerial legend believes McInnes can sustain the championship challenge he’s instigated with Aberdeen, who remain top after salvaging a 3-3 draw yesterday, having been 3-1 down to Paul Hartley’s Dundee.

With McInnes building a strong Pittodrie squad on long-term contracts and eyeing a historic shot at the top-flight crown, Smith fully expects his former Ibrox midfielder to continue his coaching career redemption there following a blip at Bristol City.

And as long as the leadership of Rangers remains in disarray, a move to take charge of his boyhood club is unlikely to hold any appeal.

But if his reputation remains on the rise long-term, McInnes is sure to be a candidate to step into the hotseat that Smith held for two hugely successful stints.

When asked if McInnes possessed credentials to be a Rangers boss down the line, Smith said: ‘I don’t think there’s any doubt that he has. He did very well in an environment he was comfortable in at St Johnstone, then went down to Bristol City.

‘Like a whole load of Scottish managers going down to England you’re not getting to manage the best clubs. When he was there, he had a fair amount of turmoil to deal with. But sometimes disappointment can lead you to re-evaluate what you are doing.

‘It can help you. You can feel the disappointment, it will always be with you. I got sacked from Everton and that doesn’t disappear, it stays with you.

‘But Derek has come back again. He has taken a bit of time to have a look at his club and see what is necessary.

‘Now he’s got them going really well. He will be more careful where he moves — if he moves.

‘Just now, Aberdeen are a terrific club, so he’ll be happy to try to build his career again and cement it by doing well there.’