On-loan Celtic attacker Ryan Christie has hailed No1 Rangers target Derek McInnes as an “absolutely brilliant” manager.
The Sunday Post claim that the Scottish giants will step up their pursuit of the 46-year-old in the coming days and he will imminently be announced as the successor to the sacked Pedro Caixinha.
It is said that Rangers are prepared to meet Aberdeen’s compensation demands to land McInnes and his assistant Tony Docherty, with the release fee for the pair set at £800,000.
Christie is in his second loan stint with the Dons after a successful initial spell in the second half of last season and has established himself as a key player under McInnes, who has hailed the winger as one of Aberdeen’s best players.
Speaking of McInnes’ link to Rangers, as quoted by Sky Sports, Caixinha said: “I’ve loved playing under him for nearly a full year now, I think it’s been absolutely brilliant. The gaffer’s done incredibly at Aberdeen over a number of years now, so it’s only natural when jobs appear that there going to be speculation with his name involved.
“It’s happened before and he’s stayed so hopefully that’s going to be the case again.”
OPINION
It is endorsements such as that of Christie that Rangers chiefs must pay attention to when selecting their new manager. Clearly, McInnes is an inspiration to his players, certainly young ones who are willing to learn and be guided. In 17 appearances for Aberdeen this season, the 22 year-old has scored four goals and supplied seven assists to show what all the fuss has been about for several years. Christie is now gearing up to make his international debut. He owes McInnes a debt of gratitude for his development, and is at pains to stress the role the manager has paid. Rangers, take note.