Derek McInnes’ first signing as Rangers manager is set to be a familiar face, with Ross McCrorie closing in on a return to Ibrox.
The versatile defender, who came through the Rangers academy before making his first-team breakthrough in 2017, is set to rejoin the club after impressing during spells with Aberdeen and Bristol City.
McCrorie left Rangers in search of regular football after struggling for consistent opportunities at Ibrox under Steven Gerrard, but his former manager McInnes has always been a huge admirer of the player.
During his time at Aberdeen, McInnes regularly praised McCrorie’s mentality, character and ability, describing him in glowing terms after a standout midfield display against Hibernian in August 2020.
“Ross McCrorie is an absolute dream of a boy, he’s a Rolls-Royce,” McInnes said.
The Rangers boss also highlighted the decision McCrorie made to leave Ibrox and pursue first-team football rather than remain on the fringes.
“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,” he raved.
McInnes’ admiration for McCrorie went beyond his performances on the pitch, with the manager openly admitting how much he enjoyed watching him represent Aberdeen.
“I just love him in an Aberdeen shirt, absolutely love him,” the new Gers boss revealed.
Now the pair are set to reunite at Rangers, with McCrorie returning as a far more experienced player than the teenager who broke through under Pedro Caixinha.
The 28-year-old has earned two Scotland caps since leaving Glasgow and has made 89 appearances for Bristol City over the last three seasons.
His ability to operate at centre-back, right-back, midfield and wing-back makes him an attractive option for a Rangers squad undergoing significant change.
McCrorie’s return also carries echoes of the huge expectations once placed on him during his early days at Ibrox. Former Rangers boss Caixinha famously predicted a huge future for the youngster after his senior debut against Partick Thistle in 2017.
“Ross McCrorie is going to be one of the best centre-halves in history, not just for this club but for this country,” Caixinha said.
“We have a young boy who’s going to be the future of this country at centre-half. I seriously have no doubts about that.”
While McCrorie’s career path has taken him away from Ibrox before, his return gives Rangers a player with top-flight experience and a strong understanding of the demands at the club.
With James Tavernier having departed after 11 years, McCrorie can provide competition at right-back to Dujon Sterling, while also offering cover across the defensive line.
McInnes is expected to continue reshaping the Rangers squad this summer, with further additions required in defence, midfield and on the wing.
McCrorie’s return would mark the first Rangers signing made by McInnes, and one backed by years of public admiration from the manager himself.
Lawrence Shankland is at present the only summer addition to the Ibrox squad, however, that deal was concluded before McInnes joined him across the M8.
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