Derek McInnes is set to join Rangers from Hearts, with his competitive edge seen as the missing piece for Ibrox.
With Scotland’s World Cup progress dominating discussions, Hearts manager Derek McInnes remains in the spotlight due to his possible switch to Rangers. If the move finalizes, it would mark another dramatic twist in Scottish football, which has already witnessed an unprecedented year of surprising developments. Just weeks after guiding Hearts to the brink of their first title in 66 years, McInnes could depart for the club he finished above in the previous season. His departure would create an opening at Tynecastle, paving the way for him to return to Ibrox, where he featured between 1995 and 2000.
Tony Docherty, McInnes’ former assistant at St Johnstone and Aberdeen, insists the Ibrox job would be a perfect match for him. 'It's a brilliant opportunity - if it presents itself,' Docherty remarked on the Scottish Football Podcast. 'Nothing surprises me in football. If it goes the way it looks as though it's going to go, I think it's the perfect fit for Rangers to be totally honest.' The former Dundee boss also hosts the same podcast with Jonathan Sutherland and Rory Loy.
Docherty, who worked alongside McInnes for over a decade, argues that the former player’s competitive drive would strengthen Rangers’ challenge against Celtic. He pointed out that McInnes consistently extracts high performance from his teams despite facing better-funded opponents. 'Derek is a hugely competitive person,' he explained. 'You saw that last year, when people thought his team were going to disappear. Purely through him and the recruitment he did they were competitive right the way through.' McInnes’ teams have often finished second to Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic, yet showed resilience down the stretch.
Former Rangers striker Rory Loy believes Rangers’ plan to sell Danny Rohl to RB Salzburg and appoint McInnes is the ideal scenario. 'To think three or four weeks ago, some Rangers fans - given the decline after the split - were looking to move him [Rohl] on,' he noted. 'To get money for him and to use that money to recruit Derek McInnes, I don't think it could have fallen more favourably for Rangers. The one thing Derek McInnes will bring above all else is the one thing that's been levelled at Rangers for the last decade - that's what is between the ears, that's mentality.'
With Martin O'Neill now Celtic manager following a historic double last season, Rangers face a renewed battle to close the gap. McInnes’ managerial career includes a League Cup triumph with Aberdeen in 2014 and a Championship title with Kilmarnock, yet his reputation stems from maximizing limited resources against stronger rivals. At Pittodrie, his Aberdeen side regularly lost to Rodgers’ Celtic in league and cup finals, while Kilmarnock stunned Old Firm teams on their way to European football under his leadership. Last season, Hearts secured their best-ever points haul under McInnes before falling to O'Neill’s Celtic in stoppage time.
Loy predicts that if McInnes were Rangers manager going into the split, the side would not collapse but instead push until the final day. 'His one issue may be is he's coming up against a powerhouse when it comes to these things in Martin O'Neill,' Loy stated. 'He has a proven track record. To win seven on the bounce last year to win the title was unbelievable.' Docherty echoed that sentiment, calling the potential pairing of O'Neill and McInnes a recipe for a thrilling title race. 'If it does happen and Martin O'Neill is in place at Celtic and Derek McInnes is in place at Rangers it's going to be one hell of a title race this year,' he added.
Despite limited silverware, McInnes boasts an 18-year managerial career marked by consistency and resilience. Docherty, who served as his assistant for 15 years, emphasized his longevity and ability to sustain success over time. 'Derek's strength is his longevity. He's been a manager for 18 years. For 15 years I was assistant to him. It's incredible to have that longevity and that amount of success.'