Derek McInnes has been introduced as the new manager for Rangers, expressing his conviction that he belongs at Ibrox and outlining his goal to secure the Scottish Premiership title as swiftly as possible. The 54-year-old acknowledged his surprise at the opportunity to manage Rangers this summer, following the departure of Danny Röhl to RB Salzburg.
McInnes, who played for Rangers from 1995 to 2000, returns to the club he supported as a boy. He stated that the timing feels appropriate for him to take charge. He was previously close to guiding Hearts to the Premiership title last season.
During his unveiling, McInnes highlighted the significance of the moment for himself and his family, acknowledging the responsibility that comes with managing the club. He expressed excitement to begin and a readiness for the role, feeling a sense of belonging at Ibrox.
McInnes emphasized his desire to build a team that meets the demands of the club and its supporters. He noted that Rangers fans have experienced a period with limited title success, having won one title in 15 years, and stressed the importance of driving standards to achieve a winning team more consistently.
Ambition and Expectations
The new manager shared his vision for his Rangers team, aiming for a style of play that aligns with fan expectations. He described becoming Rangers manager as a long-held ambition, and the call came as a surprise while he was on holiday, leading to a busy period of five or six days.
McInnes is the 22nd permanent manager for Rangers and the seventh appointment in eight years, following a period with fewer title and trophy successes. As a player, he was a treble winner with the club, and he understands the high expectations placed on staff. He affirmed his return to the club with the intention of winning.
He acknowledged that many managers make promises on their first day but stressed that actions are more important than words. He highlighted the work required for the upcoming season, particularly in recruiting players. McInnes believes that playing for Rangers demands more than just being a good player; it requires dealing with significant expectation.
He views part of his and his staff’s role as maximizing the potential of the current squad while also bringing in players who can contribute to success. McInnes is confident that with the available resources, infrastructure, and support from above, Rangers should be a winning team.
He stated that Rangers offers him the best opportunity to win, recognizing what he can bring to the club and what the club can offer him in return. McInnes‘s intention is to win the title as quickly as possible.
Team Philosophy and Recruitment
Under McInnes, Hearts demonstrated an impressive ability to play proactively and show resilience in challenging matches last season. He aims to instill a similar approach at Rangers, focusing on domestic success while also performing well in Europe.
McInnes stated that his job is to win and that he knows how he wants his team to play. He intends for Rangers to impose themselves on opponents, making it difficult for other teams to feel comfortable at Ibrox. He wants the team to play in a manner that makes opponents struggle.
He noted that Rangers currently possess good players and plans to bring in additional quality. He believes that being a Rangers player requires more than just talent; it demands a clear identity and intensity to win domestic games. Domestic trophy success is a key priority for him.
Regarding summer recruitment, Rangers have already signed Lawrence Shankland, who was captain at Hearts under McInnes. The new manager emphasized that any new signings must embrace the responsibility of meeting the expectations at Ibrox. Shankland expressed his pleasure at reuniting with McInnes at Rangers, having worked with him at two previous clubs.
Shankland, who joined his boyhood club before the FIFA World Cup in North America, learned of McInnes‘s appointment while focusing on Scotland‘s performance in the tournament. He looks forward to a fresh start with McInnes in the dugout upon his return from international duty.
McInnes acknowledged that the club might not acquire every desired player in the transfer window, but stressed the importance of using the available budget wisely. He also believes there are existing players capable of more, and it is his and his staff’s role to unlock that potential. Changes, including player departures and arrivals, are anticipated, with each new player expected to contribute to the team’s quality.
He reflected on last season, noting that while Rangers showed individual quality at times, the focus needs to be on becoming more of a cohesive team to win tight games. McInnes was on holiday in Florida when Rangers first contacted him, shortly after a period he described as a low point in his career following Hearts‘ close call in the league title race. His first league game as Rangers boss will be against Dundee United on July 31.
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Source: skysports.com
