Rangers have unveiled the former Hearts manager as their new boss.
Derek McInnes insists he’ll not be raiding Hearts for contracted players this transfer window – as the new Rangers manager lifts the lid on a maroon title bid that fell agonisingly short.
The Ibrox side swooped for their former player after his outstanding debut term at Tynecastle where Hearts were on the brink of Premiership glory. McInnes finished above Rangers and clinched Champions League qualifiers back in Gorgie through a second-placed finish, but he switched to Govan earlier this month as Danny Rohl’s replacement, after the ex-Sheffield Wednesday gaffer became RB Salzburg head coach. Striker Lawrence Shankland has already joined the Light Blues from the Jambos.
After a final day away defeat to eventual champions Celtic cost Hearts the league, McInnes has largely kept a low profile, but was unveiled by Rangers on Wednesday ahead of their return to pre-season. Recruitment will be a key focus in the early stages of his tenure but insists there will be no moves for players currently tied to Hearts. The pain of the final day of the season still resides within him after a career-low day at Parkhead.
Will Rangers raid Hearts for players?
“We tried to make the most of what we had there and we worked with so many good people,” explained McInnes. “The way the season played out was really harsh on us all and it was hard to deal with to be honest. It was hard to process and there was a lot of anger and a lot of frustration for obvious reasons. The initial part of the closed season was trying to re-sign players and try and go again, that’s the only response. I did have a good time there but this opportunity came along and this wasn’t one I was going to say no to. I always felt I wanted this opportunity.
“You don’t just say yes without having conversations. The initial approach was Rangers wanting to speak to me, so it kind of came out of the blue, but I did have a really good time at Hearts. I worked with a lot of good people and I believe in the potential of Hearts. At the same time, I believe in the potential here, and I think this gives me the best chance to win a bit more. It was a sobering feeling leaving Celtic Park in probably the lowest point in my career because I had a firm belief that we were going to win the league for a long period.
“So all these things wrestle with you and I think Rangers give me the best chance to win titles and go forward here. Our job is to try and bring the best players now but as it stands we’re not looking to go and get anybody for Hearts. We’re certainly not having any conversations this window. The players we have been discussing, there’s no player under contract at Hearts we’ve be discussing, no.”
Derek McInnes on leaving Hearts for Rangers
The 54-year-old insisted the opportunity to manage his boyhood club wasn’t something he could say no to again, having rejected a chance to take the post while Aberdeen boss. McInnes affirmed his love of time at Hearts and insisted it was an opportunity he felt could have came earlier in his managerial career.
“I loved my time at Hearts,” he added. “Hearts is a brilliant club. My time at Hearts was short but it was brilliant. I would love to have managed Hearts longer. I thought I should have been there a lot longer before I was appointed. We had a special season and there’s no two ways about it. It was tough how it all played out but I’m proud of the work that we did, my staff, the players.
“We did some great things and this time last year getting appointed at Hearts, we were a bottom six team. To get 80 points, breaking club records left, right and centre, we just fell short to win a title which hurt on the day. Becoming Rangers manager is something that I always wanted to do.
“The call was a surprise when it came about because obviously the manager was in place here. I was on my holiday and all things kind of kicked off. It was a busy five or six days in between but I had a lot to consider. Becoming Rangers manager is something I’ve always wanted and I felt so comfortable when the decision was made. Being here feels right.”
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