Cammy Devlin said it was “too stressful” to head to the World Cup with his club future still unresolved, even though the delay eventually led to a move to Rangers that was “too good to pass up”. The 28-year-old midfielder was out of contract when he joined the Australia squad just three days after being “devastated” by Heart of Midlothian’s final-day loss to reigning champions Celtic, which saw them miss out on the Scottish title at Celtic Park.
Devlin was considering whether to accept a new deal from the Edinburgh club amid rival interest before Derek McInnes’ move from Hearts to become Rangers manager decided the midfielder’s next step. The switch was confirmed after Devlin’s World Cup campaign ended, and he has now spoken publicly for the first time since joining the Glasgow club.
“The game was on the Saturday and I flew out to the World Cup on the Tuesday,” Devlin said.
He added that the timing made the situation difficult to manage. “It was devastating, but I didn’t have much time to reflect on how last season ended and then straight into the World Cup, which is one of the most special moments of your career.”
Devlin said his family were with him in the United States during the tournament. “My mum, my dad and my girlfriend are over in America supporting you. So you are trying to enjoy that as much as you can.”
He said he initially believed going to the tournament while off contract would be manageable. “I thought it would be a good idea going there off-contract, but it wasn’t.”
The midfielder said the uncertainty around his future made the experience more difficult. “It was too stressful. It was hard just being in the moment being at the World Cup and dealing with all that and the noise around it - and my dad asking me every day what’s going on.”
Devlin did not add to his five Australia caps at the World Cup. A week after Australia’s last-32 defeat by Egypt, Hearts announced he would not sign a new contract, and Rangers confirmed his signing the following day.
He said his relationship with McInnes was a major factor. “Everyone knows the relationship I have with the gaffer where we are super close and he was so good for me at Hearts and everyone knows the season we had there,” he said. “He helped me so much as a player.”
He added that he was trying not to dwell on the uncertainty during the tournament. “I was not trying to focus on it too much and just enjoy the World Cup, but when the opportunity came, it was one that was too good to pass up.”
Devlin described leaving Hearts as difficult. “It was a hard decision to make,” he said. “Hearts is such a special football club and I will be forever grateful for giving me the opportunity to play football outside Australia.”
He said he had to consider other factors beyond Hearts. “There were obviously other things I had to weigh up outwith Hearts - I’ve never been in that position where I’ve been off-contract.”
Rangers’ interest arrived later, but the size of the club mattered. “Rangers was one that came a bit later and I’ve been in Scotland for quite a while now and know how big a football club it is.”
He said the move still felt remarkable. “Being a Rangers player is super special and something I never thought would happen. It was just something I couldn’t say no to.”
Looking back on Hearts’ title disappointment, Devlin said: “Football is cruel sometimes and you just have to pick yourself up and take the next opportunity.” He added: “Hopefully I can go one better with Rangers.”
How did the transfer situation unfold?
Devlin’s contract was running down as he joined the Australia squad, only days after Hearts lost on the final day to Celtic and missed out on the Scottish title. His future was undecided while he was away at the World Cup, with Hearts offering a new deal and other clubs showing interest before McInnes’ appointment at Rangers changed the picture.
The midfielder said the uncertainty followed him into the tournament, where he was trying to balance football with constant questions from home. He later learned that Hearts would not offer him a new contract, and Rangers announced his signing the next day.
What role did Derek McInnes play?
McInnes’ move from Hearts to Rangers was a decisive factor in Devlin’s choice. Devlin said he is “super close” to the new Rangers manager and credited him with helping him develop at Hearts, where the club enjoyed a strong season.
Devlin said the relationship made the Rangers opportunity especially appealing and helped persuade him when it became available.
Why was the World Cup period so difficult?
The World Cup came only days after Hearts’ title heartbreak, leaving Devlin with little time to process the end of last season. He said he was trying to enjoy the tournament with his family in the United States, but the uncertainty over his contract made the experience more stressful than he expected.
He said he had thought being out of contract would make the process easier, but the opposite proved true. The noise around his future, combined with family questions and the pressure of the tournament, made it hard to stay focused on the present.
What does Devlin think of leaving Hearts?
Devlin said leaving Hearts was not an easy decision because of what the club meant to him. He said he would always be grateful for the opportunity to play outside Australia and acknowledged that there were factors to weigh up beyond his time in Edinburgh.
He added that Rangers’ stature in Scottish football made the move particularly significant. Having spent a long time in Scotland, he said he understood how big the club is and how special it feels to be a Rangers player.
Can Rangers help him go one better?
Devlin said he wants to respond to the disappointment of missing out on the title with Hearts by achieving more at Rangers. He said football can be cruel, but the answer is to recover and take the next chance.
He now hopes that chance at Ibrox can end with success.
Key Facts
- Cammy Devlin joined Rangers after leaving Hearts.
- He said it was “too stressful” to go to the World Cup with his future unresolved.
- Hearts lost to Celtic on the final day of the season and missed out on the Scottish title.
- Devlin has five Australia caps and did not add to that tally at the World Cup.
- Derek McInnes’ move from Hearts to Rangers influenced Devlin’s decision.
