Charlie Nicholas has predicted that the end could be nigh for Dave King and the Rangers board after Derek McInnes’ sensational snub.
The Dons announced on Thursday that McInnes had decided to stay on at Pittodrie, despite widespread speculation that he was to be appointed Rangers manager.
A club statement on their official website confirmed the news, and McInnes said: “I’ve had a lot to consider over the last couple of days and I appreciate it’s been a testing time for everyone, including my family, and I’m pleased to be now totally focusing on purely on on-the-field matters.”
Now, Sky Sports pundit Nicholas has delivered his verdict on the news, and it is a brutal one as he insisted King’s credibility has been decimated.
In his column for the Express, Nicholas said: “The Aberdeen manager has dished out the equivalent of a right-hander from Anthony Joshua! And I’m not sure Dave King and his board can recover from a punch of this force. Their credibility is shot to pieces. Today they lie spark out on the canvas. What an embarrassing situation for the Ibrox board to deal with as they limp back to the drawing board.
“I don’t believe it shows a lack of ambition on his part – he’s weighed up the two clubs and decided Aberdeen remains the best option. But what does it tell us about Rangers? Simply that the Ibrox club is still a wreck behind the scenes, lacking in structure and unconvincing when it comes to delivering on promises.”
Nicholas did however go on to say that despite the decision to stay at Pittodrie, McInnes’ time at Aberdeen may still be coming to an end.
“I do think Derek is in his last season at Aberdeen. He’s led them to three successive second place finishes, won a cup and been in finals. I’m not sure how much more he can do, and this won’t be his last offer to take on another job. Next time might be the right time,” he said.
OPINION
Everyone is in shock after McInnes’ decision to stay at Pittodrie, and that feeling will be multiplied a million times over in the Rangers boardroom. It will take them some time to recover from the blow, time which they have given themselves after announcing Graeme Murty will keep the caretaker job until the new year. The most interesting part of Nicholas’ verdict here is the warning issued about McInnes’ time at Aberdeen. And he may be right. Unless there is a cash injection into the club from somewhere, it doesn’t look like he can do much more than he already has at Pittodrie.