Derek McInnes will sit in the Ibrox dugout for the first time as Rangers manager next Wednesday night, and according to former captain and manager Barry Ferguson, the experience will be unlike anything else.
Ferguson, who made that walk countless times as a player and manager, knows the emotions that await McInnes. He describes the moment as one of immense privilege, excitement, and pride.
A Dream Fulfilled After a Long Journey
McInnes has waited almost 20 years to lead Rangers, having worked his way up through management. Ferguson emphasises that for McInnes, this is not a stepping stone but the pinnacle of his career, unlike some previous managers who saw the role as an opportunity for other doors.
"He'll feel the same sense of privilege and excitement. The adrenaline will be pumping through his body," Ferguson wrote in his column. "He'll also feel immense pride puffing up inside his chest and his family will share that because they know exactly what this moment means to him and how hard he's had to work to get there."
The Importance of Tradition and Accountability
Ferguson praised the club's decision to appoint McInnes as "Rangers manager" rather than "first team head coach," a title that never sat well with him. He sees this as a sign that the club acknowledges the importance of the role and the need for accountability.
"Rangers have always needed people who are prepared to take accountability. That's everything the club has been built on over all these years," Ferguson said.
Bringing the Club Together
Ferguson believes McInnes understands the club and its fans, having been part of the Nine in a Row team under Walter Smith. This connection will help him bring the club back together after a disappointing decade.
"Rangers fans will get behind the manager, whoever it might be. But there's something a little bit different when it's someone who gets the club the same way they do," Ferguson added.
A Tough Challenge Ahead
Ferguson acknowledges the difficulty of the task, noting that Rangers have only won three trophies in the last six seasons. However, he is confident that McInnes will relish the challenge and work to restore the club to its former dominance.
"When he walks out of that tunnel next Wednesday night he should pause to think about how far he's come just to get back here – then he and Rangers can begin the next part of the journey together," Ferguson concluded.
