During his time at Aberdeen, Derek McInnes discussed Greg Stewart’s transfer to Rangers.

During his time at Aberdeen, Derek McInnes discussed Greg Stewart’s transfer to Rangers.

The offensive player made an impression on Steven Gerrard when on loan from Birmingham at Pittodrie.

According to Greg Stewart, Derek McInnes was worried that Aberdeen fans would “hound” him if he moved to Rangers.

 

The forward, who had previously made an impression in the Premiership with Dundee and Kilmarnock, was out on loan from Birmingham to Aberdeen when Steven Gerrard moved to sign him to a pre-contract at Ibrox. When Derek McInnes assumed control of Pittodrie, he initially believed Stewart had concealed Gers’ involvement from him.

 

The former Light Blues midfielder, who passed down the chance to return as manager while at the Dons, was keen to defend him when it turned out that it was not the case. As was the case with Ryan Jack and Scott Wright, Aberdeen fans don’t like it when players make that transfer because of the rivalry between the two clubs.

I went to the stadium one day, and Derek brought me into his office, he stated on the Scots Abroad podcast. I felt as though I had acted improperly. ‘Do you know something that I don’t know,’ he asked. I was unaware; I had no idea what he was talking about. We share the same agency, Derek and I. Sincerely, I knew nothing about it. A few days later, we played Rangers, and I performed pretty well.

 

“He believed that I knew that the Rangers had contacted him before someone else did, but the truth is that I was in the dark.” I was completely clueless. Derek has already stated that we should keep things quiet regarding the animosity between Aberdeen and Rangers. He explained that given how passionate a Rangers fan I am, he had to be upfront with me. Rangers have called, and they want to sign you to a pre-contract, he added. Naturally, I’d prefer to retain you at Aberdeen, but since there isn’t really a conversation about it anymore, I believe they will offer you a bargain.

“When I called my agent, he said things were moving forward but he didn’t want to inform me right away because he thought Derek should talk to me first out of respect. I believe Rangers handled it correctly.

Stewart believes that his performance up against Borna Barisic impressed Steven Gerrard and helped him land a move to Rangers. He said: “I was in the last six months of my deal at Birmingham, so I played in January, February, and at the start of March we played Rangers at Pittodrie. I ran riot that game. I was playing against Borna. Basically, Borna got me a move to Rangers. I said that to him when I signed.