Rangers and West Brom linked Derek McInnes says he’s going nowhere, according to Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne

DEREK MCINNES has told Aberdeen he is going nowhere, according to Dons chairman Stewart Milne.

The Aberdeen manager has been among the favourites to take over at Rangers since Pedro Caixinha was sacked almost a month ago but the Ibrox club have made little progress in securing a replacement.

The former West Brom captain has also been linked with a return to The Hawthorns since Tony Pulis was sacked on Monday, but Milne revealed he had given a firm commitment during a regular meeting with the chairman on Thursday.

“Derek made his position very clear to me,” Milne told RedTV. “He has no intentions of going anywhere. He loves this club, he knows he’s loved, he knows he is respected by everyone at the club, by the fans.”

McInnes – who led the Dons to the 2014 League Cup and three consecutive league runners-up spots – played a key public role in arguing Aberdeen’s case for a new stadium and training facilities at Westhill during a recent city council meeting. And Milne feels his manager is committed to the long-term progress of the club.

Milne said: “I think anyone that was at the original pre-determination hearing and heard Derek speak with the passion that he has for this football club, it’s a big, big part of Derek’s life.

“He firmly believes he has unfinished business here. He has always said to me that he didn’t want to leave this club with just one trophy in the boardroom and it’s great news for everyone that he is committed.”

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McInnes signed a new three-year contract in the summer along with assistant Tony Docherty after rejecting an offer from Sunderland and dismissed questions about the Rangers speculation at his most recent media conference.

“He just wants to get on doing the job,” Milne said. “He has spent a lot of time, effort and money over the summer to rebuild the team and since then has re-signed a number of players.

“And everyone recognises the fantastic job him and Tony have done and nobody wants to see him leaving this club. We know he will one day but we all dearly hope he’s going to be here for some time.”