News Focus
- Derek McInnes signs three-year contract to become Rangers manager
- He replaces Danny Röhl following the German’s move to RB Salzburg
- McInnes joins after guiding Hearts to second place in the Scottish Premiership
- Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd says the appointment shows strong belief
- The new boss faces a major squad rebuild ahead of the new season
Rangers Football Club have named Derek McInnes as their new manager. The 54-year-old has agreed to a three-year deal at Ibrox Stadium. He takes charge following the departure of Danny Röhl, who left to manage Austrian side RB Salzburg.
McInnes arrives in Glasgow after a successful spell with Hearts. Last season, he led the Edinburgh club to second place in the Scottish Premiership table. They finished eight points clear of Rangers in the standings.
Former Rangers forward Kris Boyd has praised the decision. He told Sky Sports News that the club should have hired McInnes years ago. Boyd believes the new manager brings firm principles and self-confidence to the role.
This is not the first time McInnes has been linked with the position. In 2017, he nearly joined Rangers but chose to remain at Aberdeen for four more seasons. He left Pittodrie by mutual consent before moving to Kilmarnock.
The Scottish boss has built a solid record in the domestic game. He won promotion to the top flight with Kilmarnock and later secured European qualification. During his eight years at Aberdeen, he built teams that challenged Celtic for silverware. Last term, he took Hearts within minutes of a historic league title.
Boyd noted that McInnes sticks to his own methods rather than relying on outside help. He also criticised Scottish football for often overlooking local coaches.
McInnes becomes the sixth permanent manager since Steven Gerrard left the club in 2021. He is the first boss to move directly from another Scottish top-flight team since Alex McLeish joined from Hibernian over two decades ago.
The new manager faces a busy summer transfer window. Chief Executive Jim Gillespie and Technical Director Dan Purdy are working with him on recruitment. Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland has already signed from Hearts on a two-year deal. However, club captain James Tavernier has departed after 11 years of service.
Boyd believes Rangers need five or six new players. He said McInnes has always worked well with tight budgets and knows how to build winning sides.
Rangers have won the Scottish Premiership only once since 2011. They have also claimed just one Scottish Cup and one League Cup during that period. The new manager will face immediate pressure to bring trophies back to the club.