Rangers are set for a significant managerial change as Hearts manager Derek McInnes prepares to take charge at Ibrox. This development follows Danny Rohl’s imminent departure to Austrian powerhouse Red Bull Salzburg, triggering a major reshuffle within the Scottish Premiership.

McInnes named Rangers’ top managerial choice

Derek McInnes is on the brink of making a remarkable return to Rangers as their new head coach, concluding an extensive search for Rohl’s replacement, as reported by The Scottish Sun. The 54-year-old, who represented Rangers as a player between 1995 and 2000, has emerged as the leading candidate to take over managerial duties in Glasgow.

Although earlier reports had linked former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard and Kevin Muscat with the vacancy, those speculations have proven inaccurate. The Ibrox board had identified McInnes as their preferred candidate from the outset and have acted swiftly to secure him from Premiership rivals Hearts.

Rohl close to finalising Red Bull Salzburg switch

The arrival of McInnes coincides with Danny Rohl’s move to Red Bull Salzburg. The German coach is expected to be officially announced as the Austrian club’s new manager shortly, with both clubs nearly completing negotiations. The discussions between Rangers and Salzburg have been described as intense yet constructive.

Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh and chief executive Jim Gillespie have been leading the talks to finalise Rohl’s departure. The deal will see Rangers receive a substantial seven-figure compensation payment, offering a financial lift as the club embarks on a new chapter under McInnes.

Agreement reached with Hearts over compensation

The Rangers hierarchy have moved decisively to appoint McInnes, reaching an agreement with Hearts on compensation terms. Reports suggest that Cavenagh has approved a generous six-figure fee to the Edinburgh club, and Hearts are not expected to obstruct their manager’s move to Ibrox.

Hearts have been aware of Rangers’ approach for McInnes over the past day. The compensation funds received from Salzburg for Rohl’s move will effectively cover the cost of McInnes’s appointment, allowing Rangers to secure their top managerial target without placing financial strain on the club’s resources.

A long-awaited return to Ibrox

For McInnes, this appointment marks an opportunity to return to the club where he made over 100 appearances as a player. Having previously turned down the chance to manage Rangers in 2017 while at Aberdeen, he now appears ready to embrace the challenge of leading one of Europe’s most demanding football institutions.

In an interesting twist, the central figures involved in this managerial transition – Cavenagh, Gillespie, and McInnes – are currently in Boston for Scotland’s World Cup fixture against Haiti. With the administrative details being managed from abroad, Rangers are expected to officially confirm McInnes’s appointment soon after Rohl’s exit to Salzburg is finalised.