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McInnes takes Ibrox job
Rangers confirmed Derek McInnes as their new men’s first-team manager on a three-year contract after Danny Rohl left Ibrox for RB Salzburg on Wednesday.
“- Published Rangers have appointed Derek McInnes as manager on a three-year contract after agreeing a compensation deal with Scottish Premiership rivals Hearts”
Kris Boyd said the appointment is “a long time coming,” telling Sky Sports that it has been “10, 11 years” since McInnes first spoke to Rangers when he was at Aberdeen.
Rangers said McInnes brings “vast managerial experience,” having taken charge of “over 800 matches,” and the club added that he will be joined by assistants Alan Archibald, Paul Sheerin and Craig Clark.
McInnes said: “It is a real honour to become the manager of Rangers Football Club,” and Rangers said he joins from Heart of Midlothian as the club begins preparations for the upcoming season.
Boyd backs the choice
Boyd told Sky Sports News that he is “absolutely delighted” McInnes has “managed to get the job,” and he said McInnes “will be looking forward to the upcoming season.”
Sky Sports said McInnes, the 54-year-old, replaces Rohl after guiding Hearts to second in the Scottish Premiership last season, “eight points ahead of the Ibrox club.”
Boyd argued that McInnes is “a good operator in Scottish football” and said Rangers are “hoping he can continue to improve,” while also pointing to how McInnes caused problems for Celtic with Aberdeen.
The BBC said McInnes is “the third boss at Ibrox inside a year” and quoted McInnes saying: “The demands here are clear and our supporters rightfully have high expectations.”
Summer rebuild and pressure
Rangers’ summer rebuild is already under way with new CEO Jim Gillespie, executive director Fraser Thornton, technical director Dan Purdy and consultant Stig Inge Bjørnebye working with the coaching team to add to the squad.
“Rangers have today confirmed the departure of Danny Rohl by mutual agreement”
Boyd said Rangers need a “big summer ahead” and that they “do need to get a good five or six players into it,” while he added that McInnes “has shown that he can recruit players that give him and his team the best opportunity to win games.”
Rangers finished third last season, and talkSPORT said the Gers were 10 points off the pace as Celtic secured the title on the final day, leaving McInnes under pressure to deliver silverware.
The BBC said McInnes’ move reunites him with Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland, who joined Rangers three weeks ago after scoring 20 goals for Hearts last term, and it noted that Rangers ended the campaign without silverware.
