Kenny McLean hopes Derek McInnes doesn’t join Rangers – but could they end up at Ibrox together?

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Rangers continue to be linked with Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes.

Aberdeen midfielder Kenny McLean has told The Scottish Sun that he hopes manager Derek McInnes doesn’t join Rangers before their next game against Motherwell.

When Rangers sacked manager Pedro Caixinha last month, a host of names were touted for the job – but few more prominently than McInnes.

The 46-year-old featured for Rangers as a midfielder during his playing days, and many fans even wanted him as Gers boss before Caixinha’s appointment in March.

McInnes took over as Aberdeen manager in April 2013, and has impressed ever since making the move to Pittodrie, with three consecutive second-placed finishes to his name.

As Rangers also look to chase Celtic, McInnes has been tipped for the job, with fans keen to see a manager with prior knowledge of the pressure at Ibrox take the job.

BBC Sport recently reported that McInnes is the top choice for the job right now, but no approach has been made, leaving the Dons boss to continue his work with Aberdeen over the international break.

Now, Aberdeen ace Kenny McLean has told The Scottish Sun that he hopes Derek McInnes doesn’t join Rangers before their next game against Motherwell, and believes everybody at the club feels the same way – but he isn’t surprised by the interest in his services.

“I hope the manager is here for the next game against Motherwell,” said McLean. “I think everybody involved in the club will be feeling the same. There is loads of speculation but I’m sure he will come in on Monday ready to go and focused on preparing the team for Saturday.”

“He has done a very good job in the summer so it is no surprise that other clubs are looking at him,” he added.

Intriguingly, The Scottish Sun recently reported that Rangers have Gers-supporting McLean on their radar ahead of the January transfer window, and the midfielder has since confirmed that he will be leaving Pittodrie when his contract expires next summer.

If Rangers do manage to land McInnes, then a move to take McLean with him for a nominal fee in January would make a lot of sense, reuniting the pair at Ibrox.