McInnes Revives Rangers Title Bid After Ibrox Switch

A summer switch from Hearts to Ibrox has reshaped the Scottish Premiership race as Rangers erase early-season doubts.

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Derek McInnes walked away from Hearts this summer for a larger paycheck and a heavier burden. The move to Rangers looked like a gamble when European results prompted critics to write off the club entirely just weeks ago.

Kieran Tierney of Celtic celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park on October 18, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The narrative has already flipped. A string of recent victories has dragged Rangers back into the Scottish Premiership race, erasing predictions that the title was out of reach. Gordon Strachan, speaking to BOYLE Sports, pointed directly to the volatility of public perception surrounding the Ibrox club.

“Football opinions change overnight. Just a few weeks ago, people were writing Rangers off completely, and after a couple of good results, the narrative shifts dramatically,” Strachan said. He pushed back against the consensus that had formed following what he described as widely criticized European performances. “Pundits and fans can be overly reactionary. I never believed the title race was over.”

Callum Osmand of Celtic is congratulated by Camilo Duran of Celtic after they combine to scote their team’s fourth goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park on October 18, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

McInnes faces a familiar adversary across Glasgow. Martin O’Neill returned to manage Celtic, navigating a turbulent stretch that included three consecutive defeats in eight days. Strachan, who managed Celtic himself, noted that O’Neill briefly questioned his position before recognizing the scale of the job available to him.

Celtic responded to that slump with an away win at Motherwell followed by a 7-1 dismantling of Hearts at Celtic Park on Oct. 18. That result left the club McInnes abandoned reeling. “You can tell when a manager owns their interviews, and it was good to see Celtic play so well. Martin is the right man for the job,” Strachan said.

13th September 2026; Ibrox, Scottish League Cup, Rangers versus Celtic; Rangers manager Derek McInnes. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Managerial changes in the Old Firm orbit rarely happen without historical baggage. McInnes previously managed St Johnstone, Bristol City, and Aberdeen, where he consistently punched above the club’s financial weight in domestic cup competitions. His appointment at Ibrox carries expectations shaped by past managers who either thrived under the pressure or buckled within months.

Strachan knows the mechanics of that pressure firsthand. He managed both clubs earlier in his career, including a stint at Celtic that overlapped with intense Old Firm battles.

Manager Alex McLeish of Rangers and manager Gordon Strachan of Celtic look on during the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on November 19, 2005. (Photo by Chris Lee/Getty Images)

“It just shows you that this is the wonder of football. So I’ve got to say that people did think the league was finished, but it’s very much game on for both teams,” Strachan added.

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