Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes plays down link to Rangers

ABERDEEN boss Derek McInnes has poured cold water on speculation reports linking him with a return to Rangers.

The Dons manager and former Ibrox midfielder is among the leading candidates being tipped to replace Mark Warburton following the Englishman’s shambolic exit last week.

But speaking to the media ahead of the Pittodrie side’s midweek Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Motherwell, he insisted his focus remained firmly on his current post in the Granite City.

The Reds’ official Twitter feed quoted McInnes as saying: “I’ve never been one to speak about speculation and my focus is totally on Aberdeen and the game against Motherwell.

“Rangers are a strong club and will always attract people but all I’m interested in is Aberdeen.”

Ex-Gers boss Alex McLeish is the bookmakers’ favourite to take over from Warburton, with Billy Davies and Frank De Boer also in the running.

Rangers chairman Dave King has already confirmed he is willing to consider appointing an interim manager if it allows him time to land his preferred candidate this summer.

Meanwhile another Don linked to Rangers, defender Andy Considine, has signed a new two-year deal at Pittodrie.

The versatile 29-year-old, who can slot in at centre-half or left-back, was out of contract this summer and had been linked with a move to Ibrox.

But he has now decided to stay put and committed himself to the Dons until 2019.

Considine told RedTV: “I’m absolutely delighted to have signed again. This team is going higher and higher.

“The manager has managed to re-sign a lot of our key players already and that just shows the intent he has. Judging by that, our future is very bright and it’s something I want to be a part of.”

Considine was one of five first-team figures whose deals expire at the end of the current campaign, with skipper Ryan Jack, defender Ash Taylor and forwards Peter Pawlett and Niall McGinn also now free to discuss moves elsewhere.

But his decision to sign on again is another a massive boost for Reds boss Derek McInnes after he also managed to persuade wideman Jonny Hayes to agree new terms following three failed bids from Cardiff last month.

Considine progressed through the Pittodrie youth system before making his senior debut in May 2004.

He is 11th in the list of all-time appearances for Aberdeen with 376, and has 21 goals to his name.