Former Hearts manager Derek McInnes has reflected on departing a secure setup at Tynecastle to take on a turbulent new role at Rangers.
McInnes made the move to Govan in June, shortly after coming remarkably close to leading Hearts to a historic Scottish Premiership title. During his single season in Edinburgh, he got off to an impressive start by going unbeaten in his first 12 matches, with nine wins and three draws. However, his opening weeks at Ibrox have proven far more challenging.
Rangers have failed to secure victories in five of their first seven matches across all competitions under his leadership. A playoff defeat to Czech outfit Jablonec ended their European campaign prematurely, marking the first time in nine years that Ibrox will not host European football. Their domestic form has also faltered, opening with a draw against Dundee United and a home loss to Hibernian.
Reflecting on the move, McInnes acknowledged the stark contrast between the two clubs. He noted that he knowingly traded a settled, supportive environment for a rebuilding project, remaining steadfast in his belief that he can turn results around despite the slow start.
The task ahead is substantial. Rangers finished behind Hearts in the league last term for the first time since 2015. Over the summer, the club added 12 new signings, including former Hearts players Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin, and James Penrice, though few have hit top form so far.
Looking ahead to an crucial clash against Aberdeen, McInnes emphasized that building consistency and regaining fan trust are his top priorities. While acknowledging the squad remains far from its intended standard, he maintains confidence that a strong performance can kickstart a positive run.