Who would I like as the next Rangers manager?
Well, my preferred candidates would consist of Sir Alex “the govanator” Ferguson, Pep Guardiola and the special one Jose Mourhino, however, I feel none of these applicants is the reason for the delay or the truth behind our bizarrely timed statement last Friday night. There is only one man for me, the realistic appointment of current Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes.
I am well aware there is a large section of our support that does not either want or feel confident that McInnes is the man, but let me state my case as to why I feel he is not only the best placed but also the most realistic candidate.
Yes, names branded about include the Dutch duo Frank Dr Boer and Gio Van Bronckhurst along with the current Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill, all of them in my eyes would all prove a huge gamble for the board and one they can ill afford to make again after Pedro.
Many detractors point to McInnes’s lack of wins against Celtic or the inability to mount a serious title challenge when we were out with the top division as reasons alone to cast his C.V aside but let’s remember where Aberdeen were when he took over, he has guided them to top 3 finishes every season, cup finals and a League Cup win for good measure in that timespan. It is worth reminding that he has had to deal with little or money at his disposal and any player who showed promise being snatched by bigger clubs on a consistent basis. Apon his appointment at Pittodrie he diverted some of his small transfer budget in order to fund a sports scientist, a role he felt was vital to any strikes he could make, ask yourself how many managers would do the same?
He is also a Rangers man, a man who not only played for the club but understands the heavy demands expected of all at Ibrox.
While his European record at Aberdeen is questionable, but let’s be honest, what Scottish team in recent seasons is not, we are at the moment a side who need to get back to challenging domestically, first having failed to beat Ross County last season and failing to beat a struggling Patrick side in 90 mins twice in a row this campaign.
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The same questions could be asked against previous appointments like Alex McLeish or the at the time unproven as a manager Souness or Walter Smith, all Rangers men who knew what was needed in order for us to take the next step and had the respect of their peers.
McInnes knows the Scottish game inside out and while there may be flashier names out there, I feel he is the man to take us forward to the next stage. What we require at this stage is a man manager and a coach, someone who can unite and organise a side along with making a few astute buys in the transfer market.
I hope Derek McInnes has just taken the long way home.