Derek McInnes is finally preparing to take the reins at Rangers, nine years after a dramatic U-turn left the Ibrox dressing room stunned. The former Aberdeen and Hearts boss will be confirmed as the 22nd manager of the club he supports, having previously rejected the role in 2017 due to concerns over working under then-chairman Dave King.
Kenny Miller Recalls the 2017 Saga
Former Rangers striker Kenny Miller, who was part of the squad at the time, revealed that players fully expected McInnes to walk through the door after Pedro Caixinha's dismissal. “Looking back, as players we were literally just waiting on him coming in through the door,” Miller told Record Sport. “It was a long saga and it dragged on for a while. We expected him to be coming in and at that time, it seemed like a really strong appointment.”
McInnes, a boyhood Rangers fan and former Ibrox midfielder, had been doing a “wonderful job” at Aberdeen, but the off-field turmoil at Rangers convinced his head to ignore his heart. “There was a lot of things going on and at that last moment, the move obviously turned and Derek decided not to come,” Miller added. “There was a bit of disappointment in the dressing room because we all thought it was a formality.”
McInnes Now Better Prepared
Miller believes the McInnes arriving at Ibrox in 2026 is far better equipped than the one who turned back in 2017. “Del’s more experienced now. He’s had another few jobs since that period and a few hundred more games under his belt,” said Miller, now interim gaffer at Maccabi Tel Aviv. “So he's going to be in a better position now to take the job than he was back then.”
McInnes’s stock has risen significantly after coming within minutes of leading Hearts to their first Scottish Premiership title since 1960 last season. His decision to leave Tynecastle will ensure a heated reception when he returns on October 28, but Miller insists those experiences have prepared him for the ultimate challenge of restoring Rangers to the top.
Proven Track Record in Scottish Football
McInnes has consistently produced competitive teams, first at Aberdeen, then at Kilmarnock, and most recently at Hearts. “One thing you can say about his teams is that they've always, always been competitive against the Old Firm,” Miller noted. “And now that he’s going to have all the tools available to him that Rangers can provide, maybe it will deliver some success in this league because that's what the Rangers fans will demand.”
Miller added that McInnes’s familiarity with the club and league is a major asset. “He’s been in the building as a player, he knows exactly how heavy the blue jersey is. So to me, the appointment seems a good fit.”
Urgency for Immediate Success
McInnes will meet his new players on Thursday, leaving just over a month to prepare for the Premiership opener at Tannadice on July 31. “He’ll realise how important it is that he needs to deliver success, especially quickly,” Miller said. “There’s not going to be any kind of settling in time. You've got big games right from the outset, European qualifiers and important league games so he needs to get off to a flyer.”
With Rangers having gone through “too many managers” in recent years, Miller believes McInnes offers the stability the club craves. “I think Derek gives them the best opportunity to have that.”
