Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne says Rangers owe Derek McInnes an apology
Monday 11 December 2017 23:10, UK
Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne has told Sky Sports News that he believes Rangers owe Derek McInnes an apology "for having a go" after he rejected the chance to move to Ibrox.
After weeks of speculation, and shortly after a formal approach from managerless Rangers to speak to him had been rebuffed, McInnes pledged his immediate future to the Dons.
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His decision prompted a strongly-worded statement from Rangers that said they would 'endorse' McInnes staying with Aberdeen 'because moving to a massive club like Rangers is a big step with concomitant risk' and they would only want to appoint someone 'in whom we have full confidence and who feels he is ready for the job'.
In response, Milne said: "I was very disappointed (with the statement) on a number of fronts.
"It was very easy to read into it that they were having a go at Derek which I felt they had no right to do.
"I think instead of trying to focus on Derek their focus should have been on trying to reassure everyone associated with Rangers football club 'we have missed out on this opportunity, we are disappointed that Derek has made the decision that he has but we have got to accept and respect that decision'.
"Then they should be providing some reassurance to their own people, the staff at Ibrox, their players and fans that they have a clear plan on how to move forward from here.
"I think it was very disappointing that a statement of that importance at that point of time came out without anybody taking ownership of it.
"I think as far as our club is concerned we can deal with that but I think they do owe Derek an apology.
"I think whether it was intended or not, the words they used were having a go at Derek which I think is totally out of line."
