Aberdeen have no one to blame but themselves for the impending departure of manager Derek McInnes, according to former Rangers striker Kris Boyd.
As reported by the Scottish Sun, McInnes is expected to be appointed as Gers boss on Thursday after holding overnight crunch talks with Dons chairman Stewart Milne.
The news follows weeks of speculation surrounding McInnes going to Rangers after they sacked Pedro Caixinha six weeks ago.
Boyd has now delivered his verdict on the impending move, saying that Aberdeen are the only ones to blame for McInnes’ departure.
In a column for the Sun, Boyd said: “Del did his job by rejuvenating the city, let alone the football club. He won them silverware and brought a level of success they hadn’t enjoyed for longer than anyone could remember. But for four years he kept getting told there would be a new training ground and stadium built…and he’s still waiting.
“Let’s get it right; he’s on the verge of leaving Aberdeen for Rangers because it’s a bigger and better club. That’s just a fact. There is absolutely no comparison when it comes to size and stature. Aberdeen hate Rangers but they’re not close as football clubs.
“I’m just not having this idea that Del is guilty of letting Aberdeen down. For me, it’s the other way around. He can walk out of Pittodrie with his head held high when the time comes. In moving to Rangers, he’s only doing what any manager in their right mind would do. One thing is for sure, there’s no way Del can stay at Aberdeen now.”
OPINION
Boyd is slowly beginning to rival Chris Sutton as Scottish football’s most outspoken critic. He strikes again here as the biggest story in the country for the last six weeks looks to be finally coming to an end. It is interesting to hear another perspective on the story, with McInnes inevitably painted as the bad guy in pushing through a move. But Boyd is right, you cannot blame him for his ambition. And you cannot blame him for Aberdeen’s lack of such. The reality, as Boyd points out, is that Rangers are a bigger club, and represent an opportunity for McInnes that Aberdeen never could.