“He’s a Rangers man” – ex-Scotland international reckons Derek McInnes is the right fit at Ibrox

Robert Snodgrass believes Derek McInnes wants to test himself. The former Scotland international was speaking to talkSPORT BET Sportsbook about Rangers’ new manager and believes Hearts have a problem filling his and Lawrence Shankland’s shoes. And he highlighted that Derek McInnes is a Rangers man.

Derek McInnes wants to test himself against the best – which is Martin O’Neill

“We saw the battle between Martin O’Neill and Derek McInnes toward the end of the season. Martin O’Neill is in his second spell, and he has been up against the best of them. Derek McInnes wants to challenge himself against the best, and Martin is definitely that.

He is a legend at the club who always finds a way, and the players and fans respect him immensely.

Derek knows he has a very tough task on his hands. In his spells at Kilmarnock and Aberdeen, there were expectations, but at Hearts last season, I don’t think many expected them to mount a challenge until the very end.

They definitely had the potential, and now the pressure is on Derek to deliver trophies. He has earned the right to be in the hot seat. He pushed everyone all the way to the last day.

He is a Rangers man and played for the club, so he has a great connection there. It will be a big challenge, but he is a top manager.”

The Premiership will be really exciting – Rangers and Celtic will both be stronger

“I think the league is going to be really exciting. Motherwell will get a new manager, and Aberdeen have Stevie Robinson. Hibs will be up there, and Hearts have entered a different bracket. They ruffled a few feathers with the big two last year by saying they want to win the title. I think Celtic and Rangers will be stronger this time around.

I don’t believe there is a disconnect between the board and the pitch level anymore. It is all made for an exciting campaign. Hearts definitely have Celtic and Rangers on their toes.

With Derek McInnes going in there, along with Lawrence Shankland and potentially Ross McCrorie, they want to get more Scottish lads and a Scottish manager at the helm who knows what the club means. They will be looking to mount a better challenge this season.”

Derek McInnes and Lawrence Shankland are big shoes to fill at Hearts

“Those are big shoes to fill, but the show moves on. Hearts have made a lot of signings and I think a new manager is about to be announced. With Tony Bloom and his recruitment, they don’t wait around. Their data is done, they know exactly who their targets are. They have pushed forward and I believe you will see an exciting Hearts side again.”