Chris Sutton: Rangers Missed a Trick by Not Hiring Derek McInnes

Chris Sutton has weighed in on one of Scottish football’s most debated managerial decisions, suggesting that Rangers should have appointed Derek McInnes when the opportunity arose.

McInnes, who had considerable success at Aberdeen, was often touted as a potential successor to Rangers’ managerial positions during a tumultuous period in the club’s history.

Sutton’s comments highlight how Rangers, despite the chances they had, ultimately missed out on a manager who could have laid strong foundations for long-term success.

In the early 2010s, Rangers were in the midst of financial chaos and had just been relegated to the Third Division following their liquidation. The club was rebuilding under the guidance of various interim managers, and the search for a permanent figurehead was underway.

McInnes, who had established himself as a promising manager at Aberdeen, was a name that surfaced frequently in connection with Rangers’ managerial vacancy.

However, the club opted for different candidates, including the controversial choice of Ally McCoist, followed by others such as Mark Warburton and Graeme Murty, none of whom enjoyed long-term success at the helm.

Sutton’s remarks come from his firm belief that McInnes had the credentials and experience necessary to stabilize and rebuild Rangers during their challenging period.

McInnes had proven himself in the Scottish Premiership with Aberdeen, where he regularly pushed Celtic for the title and consistently delivered strong performances in domestic competitions.

Under McInnes, Aberdeen enjoyed a resurgence, regularly finishing in the top half of the table, securing runners-up spots, and reaching the 2017 Scottish Cup final.

For Sutton, McInnes was the type of manager who could have provided the steady leadership Rangers needed to return to the top. His focus on building teams through hard work, organization, and a strong tactical approach could have seen Rangers reclaim their place at the summit of Scottish football sooner. Instead, the club opted for other directions, with mixed results and inconsistent leadership.

The decision not to hire McInnes is seen by some as a missed opportunity, especially when compared to the setbacks Rangers faced in the years following.

While the club eventually found success with Steven Gerrard, it is clear that McInnes could have been the catalyst for change earlier on.

In hindsight, Rangers’ failure to appoint McInnes may serve as a reminder of the importance of making the right managerial choices during a rebuilding phase.

The question remains: could McInnes have brought Rangers back to their glory days sooner if given the chance?