Tony Docherty, who spent over a decade beside Derek McInnes at St Johnstone and Aberdeen, says the former Hearts boss would be a perfect fit at Rangers. He argues McInnes' competitive edge could revive the club’s fight against Celtic, a battle that slipped last season when Rangers finished third after losing four cup finals. Such a change could also restore fan optimism at Ibrox.

Docherty recalls last year’s title race, when Rangers sat one point behind Hearts and ahead of Celtic before the split. He believes McInnes' “never‑give‑up” mentality, demonstrated at Aberdeen and Kilmarnock, would restore the hunger that saw Hearts punch above their weight and give the squad a clear identity. Former striker Rory Loy echoes the view, calling the potential appointment the “perfect scenario” for Ibrox.

The timing coincides with Martin O'Neill’s arrival at Celtic after a league‑and‑cup double, setting up a fresh Old Firm showdown. While McInnes has only a League Cup win (Aberdeen 2014) and a Championship title (Kilmarnock), his record of extracting results from limited resources could keep Rangers in contention and could swing the league standings. If the swap happens, the title race will intensify dramatically.