Rangers legend Walter Smith told then Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes to turn down the offer of the Ibrox manager’s job in 2017.
That’s according to the Daily Record and specifically controversial journalist Keith Jackson, who made the claim in his latest column with the tabloid newspaper.
Speaking with Rangers in the middle of the hunt to replace Michael Beale, Jackson suggested the collapse of links to ex-Everton and Chelsea boss Frank Lampard came as a result of a fan backlash.
With many Rangers supporters also unhappy with the suggestion of now-Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes getting the manager’s job, much of the frustration stems from McInnes rejecting the Ibrox club’s approach back in 2017.
Speaking about those fresh links to Derek McInnes, Jackson has claimed that Walter Smith told the manager to reject the Rangers offer almost six years ago as the journalist takes a dig at former Ibrox chairman Dave King.
Keith Jackson: Walter Smith told Derek McInnes to reject Rangers
An excerpt from the column reads:
“Kilmarnock’s Derek McInnes remains another potential candidate and this one really would have interested Smith, who was always more than happy to act as a mentor and sounding board for his former player.
“There are, of course, some Rangers fans who won’t tolerate the idea of offering the job to McInnes following his decision to turn it down during his time in charge at Aberdeen. What would Walter Smith have done?
“Well, as a matter of fact, it was Smith who advised McInnes to walk away from the table after Dave King changed the goalposts at the 11th hour, attempted to renegotiate a contract which had already been agreed and refused point blank to discuss the size of budget that would be have been made available. Acting on Smith’s advice, McInnes didn’t turn Rangers down. He said ‘no’ to King and to the prospect of working for a man he felt he could not possibly trust.”
It’s quite the explosive claim and – if true – it could have some Rangers fans reassessing those links to Derek McInnes with Walter Smith one of the most trusted people in the history of the club.
But with the article also a chance for Jackson to inflame a recurring feud with ex-Ibrox chair Dave King, you’ll excuse other fans for taking the entire thing with a pinch of salt.
After the passing of Rangers icon Walter Smith in October 2021 the legendary former manager is not around to clarify the claims – but Derek McInnes is.
In the meantime, Rangers remain without a permanent manager and Derek McInnes – even without the endorsement of Walter Smith – appears a solid choice.
With Rangers losing their never say die identity amongst a squad of expensive flops which is bereft of leadership, charging the ex-Ibrox midfielder with changing things might not be the worst move.
