The 54-year-old knows him better than most and signed McCrorie for Aberdeen
Rangers boss Derek McInnes is in the brink of landing “Rolls-Royce” Ross McCrorie with the former Ibrox kid set to be a part of his new-look side.
McInnes will be unveiled on Wednesday and a deal for the Bristol City man is close as he gets set for an emotional return to the club he started his career with.
The 54-year-old knows him better than most and signed McCrorie for Aberdeen during his final season at Pittodrie on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy.
McInnes was effusive in his praise of the 27-year-old who became a key man at Pittodrie before earning acclaim for his time at Ashton Gate.
McCrorie’s burgeoning career has been hampered with injuries, however, he has been a regular starter since backing himself and leaving boyhood club Rangers.
And McInnes has never been able to hide his respect for what the Scotland international can bring to his team.
Speaking after a win over Hibs in August 2020, he said: “Ross McCrorie is an absolute dream of a boy, he’s a Rolls-Royce.”
And further praise from their shared time in the Granite City offers a candid insight into the role McCrorie will play in his second Rangers act after his boss saluted his desire to push on his career.
McInnes added: “He didn’t want to be in the shadows, he didn’t just want to be a Rangers squad player, he wanted to get out and get on with his career, and I love that about him.”
And that remark hints at a key role – whether it be at right-back, central defence or in midfield – with more defensive reinforcements being eyed.
McCrorie is also a likely candidate to be under consideration to become Rangers’ next captain, as is fellow new boy Lawrence Shankland.
Even if the armband evades him, the versatile defender will be a key member of a newly-formed leadership under McInnes’ watch.
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