Derek McInnes begins Rangers reign with title ambition

Derek McInnes has taken over as Rangers manager after a dramatic 2025 Premiership season where Hearts nearly ended Celtic's dominance. The former Gers midfielder, who spent five years at Ibrox during his playing career, now aims to lead Rangers to their first title in 15 years. Last season, McInnes guided Hearts to a second-place finish with 69 points, just one point behind champions Celtic, despite controversial VAR decisions that cost them crucial points.

What happened in the 2025 title race?

The 2025 Premiership season was one of the closest in recent memory. Rangers finished second with 19 wins, 12 draws, and 2 losses, scoring 66 goals and conceding 31. Their final-day defeat to Celtic at Parkhead denied them the title by just one point. Hearts, under McInnes, were in contention until the final matchday, but a late penalty awarded to Celtic against Motherwell-a decision McInnes called 'disgusting'-proved decisive. The VAR ruling saw Celtic secure a 3-2 win, ultimately handing them the championship.

Why McInnes' appointment excites Rangers fans

Jody Morris, a former teammate and assistant under McInnes, believes Rangers have their best chance in years to dethrone Celtic. 'Derek is a Rangers man who wears his heart on his sleeve,' Morris said. 'He’s a proven manager in Scotland, and he nearly won the title with Hearts last season. The decisions that went against them were mind-blowing, but he still pushed Celtic to the wire.' McInnes’ touchline ban for criticizing VAR has only fueled his determination to succeed at Ibrox.

What comes next for Rangers?

Rangers begin their 2026-27 campaign on a high note, having ended the 2025 season with a 5-2 win over Falkirk. Their next fixture is a crucial away clash against league leaders Heart of Midlothian on October 28, 2026. With McInnes at the helm, Rangers fans are hopeful of ending their title drought and reclaiming Scottish football’s top spot.