Derek McInnes is gaining recognition as a potential replacement for Philippe Clement should Rangers decide to part ways with the Belgian manager, according to journalists Peter Martin and Alison McConnell.
Speaking on PLZ Soccer, the duo pointed to McInnes’s recent success, particularly his team’s 1-0 victory over Clement’s side at Rugby Park. They noted that his overall Scottish Premiership experience positions him as a solid candidate for the Ibrox role, despite having turned it down previously.
With Rangers now trailing six points behind both Celtic and Aberdeen after missing an opportunity to close the gap during the weekend’s matches, Clement’s position has come under renewed scrutiny.
Martin stated, “Derek McInnes, on a fraction of the budget, well organised and they won the game. Now this is a man who, from the story, from the inside track last time, was all set to become the Rangers manager. He’d picked the side for the weekend, then there was a massive u-turn.”
He further emphasized McInnes’s capabilities, adding, “I think he will be the type of manager they’ll be looking to if this all goes pear-shaped, because he’s already proved that he can take on Rangers without fear, soak up pressure, and pick their moment to win the game.”
McConnell echoed these sentiments, stating, “I would agree that he should definitely be in the equation for the reasons you’ve listed. I’m not sure if he would be. One, because he has turned it down before… I don’t know if there’d be a second offer, and also if Rangers fans would want to cast the net a bit wider.”
She concluded, “From my perspective, I think he should have been in the running this time last year. His credentials speak for themselves; he’s repeatedly punched above his weight.”