DEREK MCINNES has described his return to Rangers as “special” and a “privilege”, saying he is ready to embrace the challenges that come with the top job at Ibrox.
The Nine in a Row midfielder, who played for the Light Blues between 1995 and 2000 under Walter Smith and Dick Advocaat, was unveiled as the club’s new manager this afternoon, and before his presentation to the media, he sat down for his first RangersTV interview in the Main Stand’s Blue Room.
After taking in the surroundings, including the manager’s office at the top of the famous marble staircase, McInnes spoke of his pride at being entrusted with the role at the club he has supported since childhood and outlined his determination to deliver silverware.
The 54-year-old, who has signed a three-year contract, said: “It's everything really. It's such a privilege and an emotional day. It's a special day for myself on a personal level. The club is something that has always been huge in my life growing up.
“My father supported the team. 31 years ago, when I signed here as a player, my dad was in the gaffer's room next door. To think that I'm in that seat is pretty special.
"There is a lot to do. There is a lot of introductions and media duties today, but I'm just really looking forward to getting down to work.
"It's a totally different feeling. When you sign as a player there is still that excitement and anticipation. The challenge as a player was to get into the team and all the rest of it.
“Back then, the club was a winning club, and it was winning most seasons. I am well aware that the responsibility here now, as manager, is to try and drive the whole thing.
“With the support of the board and everybody doing their job well, hopefully we can get back to a sustained period of real success, dominating Scottish football and winning trophies.”
McInnes believes his prior of knowledge of Rangers will help him as manager. He explained: "I think it helps, but at the same time, I'm judged on the performances of the players. It's up to me to try to get the best players possible in the club.
You need to have a lot more under the bonnet to deal with the expectation, and I think initially we just need to try and meet the expectation of the supporters and then, in time, hopefully exceed them.
"We have got work to do, but we are going to get it done. With the help of the recruitment team and Jim and the whole board, including Andrew as chairman, we've all got similar ambitions and a plan for the club.
"We've got to start somewhere and, for me, it’s got to be making sure that I know the Rangers team that I expect for myself, the Rangers team I want to see week in, week out. It's up to us to try and make sure we have the bodies in the building to be that team.”
On working under Walter Smith and Dick Advocaat and what he learned from both former Rangers managers, McInnes continued: "They were totally different in style.
"The gaffer was well established as a manager when he signed me, and the club was in such a good situation. We had top-class players, a dressing room littered with full internationals, but I think what we did create was something really special, a real bond.
"I think it's important the manager has that with his team, good relationships, and he was great with dealing with relationships. There weren’t always straightforward characters in the dressing room but he dealt with them brilliantly.
“When Dick came in, it was a total transformation really. There were a lot of changes in terms of personnel; a lot of the old guard left, and I had a short spell when Dick was here.
“He did things slightly differently, but he still had that aura of a Rangers manager. The instructions were clear, the demands were clear, and the discipline was really strong."
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