Derek McInnes says he ‘wasn’t prepared to walk away’ from Aberdeen to join Rangers

ABERDEEN manager Derek McInnes has revealed he did not want to “tarnish” the relationships he has forged at Pittodrie by walking out for Rangers.

The former Rangers midfielder spent two days in talks with Dons chairman Stewart Milne after Aberdeen rebuffed an approach from Ibrox on Tuesday evening before reiterating his commitment to the club.

The decision followed six weeks of intense speculation over his future after Rangers sacked Pedro Caixinha.

Gordon Smith astonished by Rangers statement on Derek McInnes

McInnes told his club’s Red TV channel: “It’s been a challenge for everybody concerned over the last wee while. I had something to consider, as it is in life. If you are deemed to be doing well, you normally get opportunities and offers and decisions to make.

“But I wasn’t prepared to walk away just yet. I am really happy here as everybody knows, and I wasn’t prepared to tarnish relationships that I have built over the last wee while.

“Hopefully everything gets settled down. None of this has been of our own doing. Since the official approach was made on Tuesday we quickly got it put to bed.”

? The manager spoke to RedTV this morning ahead of tonight's match against Dundee at Dens Park #StandFree pic.twitter.com/V9nkqjWJuo

— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) December 8, 2017

McInnes and assistant Tony Docherty missed two days of training immediately before their Friday night trip to face Dundee and the 46-year-old now wants total focus on the football.

Aberdeen have dropped 11 points since McInnes was installed as the favourite to replace Caixinha, a run which included two defeats against Rangers last week.

“We want to get back to normal practice,” he said ahead of the trip to Dens Park. “We have tried to be as normal and professional as possible throughout it. I don’t like when we don’t win games. Ultimately that’s why there has been a bit of a cloud.”