McInnes Biggest Factor in McCrorie's Rangers Return
Ross McCrorie has confirmed that Derek McInnes was the primary reason for his decision to return to Rangers, despite having offers to remain in England.
The 28-year-old defender, whose contract extension was triggered by Bristol City, chose to reunite with McInnes at Ibrox, highlighting the manager's qualities as decisive in his move.
"The biggest thing for me was the gaffer," said McCrorie, who spent three seasons under McInnes at Aberdeen.
"I had a good few offers in England but as soon as the gaffer got the job here I knew he was the man to take this club forward."
McCrorie originally joined Rangers as a nine-year-old and made his first-team debut in September 2017. He appeared in over 50 matches before deciding to leave in 2020, a move encouraged by McInnes.
"The gaffer was the one who gave me that belief to step up and leave Rangers," the Scotland international recalled.
"I wanted to be the main man and get games under my belt to unlock the talent I knew I had.
"The gaffer came out to my house and persuaded me to go up to Aberdeen and I had a great three years up there."
During his time at Aberdeen, McCrorie made 115 appearances, playing in various positions and occasionally captaining the team.
Describing McInnes as a "great man-manager" and "a real leader," McCrorie reflected on the strong team spirit fostered at Pittodrie.
"He makes you want to run through brick walls for him," he said.
Rangers' Ambitions and Recent Signings
Under McInnes, Hearts narrowly missed out on the league title last season, finishing second to Celtic on the final day. The 54-year-old former Ibrox midfielder also managed Kilmarnock for over 150 games following his eight-year tenure at Aberdeen.
"He knows the league inside and out," McCrorie said of his manager. "He's all about standards.
If you play for Rangers, any competition you're in, you want to win. That's the target.
It's all about winning. You have to live and breathe it."
Since McCrorie left Rangers six years ago, the club has won only three trophies.
"Watching as a fan, there's no getting away from it, it's not been good enough," he said.
"I want to help create the standards that it takes to make Rangers successful."
Rangers were the highest scorers in the Premiership last season but conceded more goals than champions Celtic, Hearts, and fourth-placed Motherwell.
McCrorie has been joined by centre-back Ben Godfrey and goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, with striker Lawrence Shankland and midfielder Dan Neil also added to the squad.
"It's not just about quality, it's about character as well," McCrorie stated. "We need to have that ruthless edge to us.
You need to have that quiet confidence that you match anyone on the day.
You need to create unity. That brotherhood in the changing room can go a long way."
