An Aberdeen fans’ chief has slammed manager Derek McInnes amid speculation that he will be confirmed as Rangers boss later today (Thursday).
As reported by the Scottish Sun, Rangers are expected to appoint McInnes as their new boss imminently after the 46-year-old held talks with Dons chairman Stewart Milne overnight.
This follows six weeks of speculation following the sacking of former Gers boss Pedro Caixinha, with McInnes the favourite to take the job for the majority of that time.
Dons Supporters Together chairman, Scott Barclay, has now spoken out about the speculation and slammed McInnes for failing to ease fans’ worries over the situation.
Speaking to the BBC, he said: “Derek’s a very clever man and he’s managed the media as best as he could but there is one man in this whole situation that could have killed [the speculation] and that is Derek McInnes. His failure to come out and nail this down pretty much makes it clear he’s waiting for things to be tidied up.
“Fans are tearing each other apart over the whole thing and it’s not our making, or the club’s. He’s been backed to the hilt and given money to spend; considerably more than anyone in a long time. He was rewarded with a new contract after the Sunderland situation but here we go again.”
Barclay was however grateful for McInnes’ contribution to the club.
“Derek has given us success, respectability and a sense of pride. If he feels it’s the right move for him, then good luck to him. It does feel like there has been a [media] campaign orchestrated by the Rangers side and that’s not done us any favours. A lot of it is supposition and it’s been tiresome given the length of time it’s carried on,” he said.
OPINION
The criticism of McInnes is in some ways understandable, but what is he supposed to do? Lie to the fans saying that he doesn’t want to leave? To most it has always been obvious that he would leave Pittodrie for Ibrox, and lying about that would make it worse. Look at Ronald Koeman at Southampton. He lied and said he would not take another job, and then jumped ship to Everton and is now a hated man on the south coast. McInnes did the right thing by keeping quiet, and he cannot be blamed for showing ambition or wanting to return to his former club.