Perfect timing for Rangers with McInnes hire

If reports are right and McInnes was on Scotland’s shortlist, then our appointment at Ibrox couldn’t have come at a better time — it’s relief and shrewd timing rolled into one.

There’s a nice bit of serendipity to all this. If the rumoured shortlist for the Scotland job really did include Davie Moyes, Derek McInnes, Stevie Naismith and Ange Postecoglou, then appointing McInnes when we did looks, frankly, like excellent timing for Rangers.

Why the timing matters

Look, national jobs come up when they come up and you don’t get to choose the calendar. If McInnes had still been at Hearts when Steve Clarke walked away, the SFA might well have been tempted — and in that scenario we’d have been sweating. Bringing him to Ibrox removed that possibility. Simple as that.

What this means for Rangers

It’s not just about blocking the SFA. We’ve given McInnes a platform and a proper club project. That helps stability at the club and it keeps his focus on Rangers football, not speculation. Fans want the manager fully committed, and the current setup reduces any immediate distraction for him and the squad.

A nod to McInnes' ambitions

Plenty have said McInnes has expressed a desire to manage Scotland one day, and that’s fine — national pride is a powerful draw. But wanting the job and actually taking it are two different things. For now, his attention is with us, and that’s got to be a positive. Timing was on our side, and sometimes the best bits of business are the ones you don’t see until later.

To be fair, this all depends on how the SFA proceed and what managers decide. Still, as a Rangers fan I’ll take the relief. We’ve secured our man and, for the moment, Scotland won’t be taking him off us.

Written by Sir Walter Smith OBE: 12 July 2026