Kris Boyd Slams Derek McInnes and Names Three Legends Who Could Do a Better Job at Rangers
Kris Boyd Slams Derek McInnes and Names Three Legends Who Could Do a Better Job at Rangers
In a blistering column that has sent shockwaves through Scottish football, former Rangers striker and outspoken pundit Kris Boyd has torn into new Ibrox manager Derek McInnes, branding his early performances “not good enough” and claiming the club needs far stronger leadership if it is to challenge for the title. Boyd did not stop at criticism. He went further, naming three genuine legends of the game he believes could step in and immediately do a better job of turning Rangers around.
Writing in the aftermath of a stuttering start to the 2026/27 season that has already included a disappointing draw and a European setback, Boyd pulled no punches. “Derek McInnes has been given the keys to the biggest job in Scottish football and so far the results and the performances have been soft,” Boyd wrote. “The standards at Rangers demand more than what we are seeing. Players look leggy, the intensity is missing, and the organisation that was supposed to be his strength has not materialised quickly enough. Fans are already restless and they have every right to be.”
Boyd, never one to shy away from controversy, argued that McInnes’s previous successes at Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Hearts do not automatically translate to the unique pressure of Ibrox. “Managing Hearts or Aberdeen is one thing. Walking into Rangers with the expectation of winning every single week is another level entirely. Right now it looks like the job is bigger than the man.”
The former Scotland international then delivered the most explosive part of his assessment by naming three figures he believes could come in and elevate the club far more effectively.
First on Boyd’s list is Walter Smith. The late, great Rangers icon remains the gold standard for many supporters. “Walter understood the club, the fans and the demands better than almost anyone,” Boyd stated. “His man-management was second to none. He knew when to put an arm around a player and when to kick them up the backside. If somehow you could bring that presence back into the building, the standards would rise overnight. Walter would not tolerate the slackness we have seen in the opening games.”
Second, Boyd pointed to Steven Gerrard. The former Rangers manager who delivered the 2020/21 title remains a popular figure among the Ibrox support. “Steven Gerrard has already proven he can win the league with this club,” Boyd wrote. “He brought belief, organisation and a winning mentality. He knows what it takes to shut out Celtic and to handle the European nights. Bringing him back would instantly raise the ceiling of what this squad thinks is possible. Gerrard has the aura and the track record that commands respect in that dressing room.”
Third on the list is Alex McLeish. The former Rangers and Scotland boss, who lifted multiple trophies during his time at Ibrox, was praised by Boyd for his tactical nous and experience. “Big Eck knows how to build a team capable of competing on all fronts,” Boyd said. “He has managed at the highest level, he understands Scottish football inside out, and he has the presence to demand more from underperforming players. In a short space of time he could restore the steel that has been missing.”
Boyd stressed that his comments were not personal attacks but a reflection of the ruthless reality at a club of Rangers’ stature. “This is not about hating Derek. He is a good football man who has done solid work elsewhere. But Rangers cannot afford a bedding-in period that lasts months. The gap to Celtic cannot be allowed to grow, and European progress is non-negotiable. If the performances do not improve dramatically and quickly, the board will have to look at alternatives. And when they do, they should be looking at proven winners with genuine Rangers DNA or proven success at this level.”
The column has already sparked fierce debate among supporters. Some back Boyd’s call for higher standards and greater urgency, while others argue that McInnes deserves more time after only a handful of competitive matches and with transfer business still ongoing. McInnes himself has publicly accepted responsibility for results while urging his players to raise their levels.
Boyd closed his piece with a familiar warning. “Rangers fans have seen enough false dawns. They want a manager who instils fear in the opposition and belief in the stands from day one. Right now that is not happening. Walter Smith, Steven Gerrard or Alex McLeish would walk into that dressing room and change the temperature immediately. That is the level this club should be aiming for.”
Whether Boyd’s intervention accelerates pressure on McInnes or simply adds to the noise surrounding the early-season struggles remains to be seen. What is certain is that the former striker has once again refused to hold back, placing the new manager firmly under the spotlight and reminding everyone just how high the bar sits at Ibrox.
