If there is always one concerning part for Ibrox Noise regarding a new managerial appointment, it is their press conference. And their initial statement. In recent times, Rangers have been appointing EFL slop and inappropriate foreign managers who did not have a clue about our club. This would come through strongly in statements from them. These would offer very few Rangers related comments which actually nailed what they needed to do. The press conferences would be very similar.
A Different Opening Message
Ibrox Noise can still vividly remember turning off Russell Martin’s unveiling after about three minutes, realising, of course, that he was utterly the wrong man. It was an absolute farce that he was sitting there. We did watch all of Danny Rohl’s unveiling. But we felt very much the same, that this was entirely the wrong person.
However, Derek McInnes is the first manager in a considerable period of time whose opening statement absolutely nails what Rangers fans want.
And indeed, he was the first manager in forever who has actually admitted that he grew up a Rangers fan. He has actually put his heart on his sleeve and spoken about his allegiances, that he is one of us.
He has also told us that he knows what this club is all about and what it demands and expects.
Knowing What Is Expected
He knows what is expected of him and that is crucial language. Our manager immediately put his own neck on the chopping board with a level of conduct and dignity by saying that he knows what is expected of him, his staff and his players.
This is a huge departure from the arrogance of other managers who talk about how great they are and that they will be outstanding.
Rather than boasting about how good he will be, he simply says that he knows what is expected of him.
It is the most Walter-esque intro that any Rangers manager has given since the great man.
It is exactly how a Rangers manager should talk.
A Rangers manager should always show humility. They should not promise that they are going to deliver the world. Nor that they are the greatest thing since sliced bread.
These guys simply know that the club has gigantic demands and they must deliver on those.
They know what they need to do and that is what Rangers is all about.
The Walter Smith Comparison
The classic Walter Smith epigram, of course, back in the day, summed it up. It discussed how when you go to Rangers, you put yourself second, and the club first, and that is the only time that being second should be good enough for Rangers.
This is absolutely true.
It is not about the individual. It is about the whole.
And so many Rangers managers have made it about them.
Rohl, Beale, especially Russell Martin, would all talk about themselves. They’d talk about their greatness and what they intended to do.
Rather, with McInnes, we are now seeing a man who is offering what he hopes and expects to achieve in terms of what he believes is expected of him.
His language was very, very good.
It is exactly what Rangers fans should be hearing from their manager. It is exactly what we expect our managers to sound like.
A Start Rangers Fans Can Believe In
His other rhetoric was good as well and, of course, words we do know are cheap.
But these are the first words that have actually carried a bit of weight and that we can actually believe the intention and sincerity behind them.
It is a very, very good start and we cannot wait for more under Derek McInnes.