Nevin recalled: “O mundo todo falava sobre Derek, e eu estava com Derek.” He says he held back because he was already convinced McInnes would accept if Rangers made the approach.
The report describes Rangers’ coaching search as following Danny Rohl’s departure for RB Salzburg, with the club turning its attention to McInnes at Tynecastle. That would make the reported appointment more than a change of dugout: it would be a major step for a manager who had built his standing at Hearts.
Nevin praised McInnes’s work at Hearts, saying he had helped build the club, while pointing to the financial limits on how far that progress could go. “É uma pena, porque no Hearts foi brilhante,” he said, before adding that there was only so much a manager could build with the money available.
For Hearts, losing a manager who had established a foundation would mean a significant reset. For Rangers, McInnes would inherit a club Nevin described as being in a stronger place after a poor start to the season. The challenge would be turning that renewed momentum into consistent performances.
Nevin also suggested McInnes could be in contention for Scotland’s national-team job if it became available, underlining the reputation he believes the manager has earned. For now, the focus is on what the reported change means for both clubs: whether Rangers can build on their revival, and whether Hearts can preserve the progress McInnes helped create.