Aberdeen coach Paul Sheerin has confirmed Derek McInnes’ future will be resolved today (Thursday) as a move to Rangers edges closer.
The Aberdeen Under-20s coach took the team’s press conference in the absence of manager McInnes and his No2 Tony Docherty ahead of tomorrow night’s Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee.
“There will be a resolution on the manager sometime today and we’re preparing for the game tomorrow night,” Sheerin said at lunchtime on Thursday, as quoted by the official Aberdeen Twitter account.
???? Paul Sheerin – There will be a resolution on the manager sometime today and we’re preparing for the game tomorrow night.
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) December 7, 2017
“I’ve spoken to Derek about the game tomorrow and not about anything else.
“The uncertainty over the situation is not ideal but we just have to get on with it and focus on the match at Dundee.
“I’m sure our fans will want clarity on the situation as soon as possible. Tomorrow will be a tough game and we’ll be looking for a reaction.”
Sheerin’s comments come after McInnes reportedly spent last night locked in talks with Dons chairman Stewart Milne, who had rejected Rangers’ approach for the 46-year-old on Tuesday evening.
The Don manager and his No2 Tony Docherty subsequently missed first-team training yesterday and also skipped today’s session.
Ibrox chiefs hope Milne will now grant permission, paving the way for the ex-Light Blues midfielder to make a return as first team manager.
OPINION
As far as the Rangers manager search is confirmed, the fat lady has begun to clear her throat. It now appears only a matter of hours until McInnes is formally announced as the Glasgow giants’ new manager. It will bring to an end a tortuous process that has lasted six weeks and only served to increase Aberdeen’s antipathy towards Rangers. McInnes was the right man in late October and is the right man now, given the absence of any other candidate worthy of the name. But Rangers’ pursuit has been embarrassingly long, and suggests the well of cash behind the scenes has run dry.