Derek McInnes confesses he has Rangers story to tell over turning job down as he lifts lid on Walter Smith guidance

Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes admits he has a story to tell over his decision to back out of becoming Rangers manager in 2017.

The Ibrox board had zeroed in on the then Aberdeen manager only for him to sensationally exit talks to become Pedro Caixinha's permanent successor at the 11th hour. And now McInnes has admitted chats with Walter Smith offered him a clearer picture of the lay of the land at Ibrox but believes the late Rangers hero wanted him to become boss at the club he starred for in the 1990s.

And McInnes admits Smith's passing two years ago has left a void in his life as he cherished the counsel one of the greatest ever Scottish managers offered him and other coaches with the game. Speaking to the Daily Mail: "I did have a long chat with the gaffer [back in 2017]. Listen, I have a story to tell about that whole episode. It's not the time to do it now. I felt that Walter wanted me to be the Rangers manager, but he also had his concerns for me with it.

"It was his advice and, while he left me in no doubt that it was my decision, he was involved in every step of the way there. The gaffer had an influence on most of my big decisions. And when I look back now, I wish I had spoken to him MORE to be honest.

"I was talking to my old teammate Charlie Miller the other week and he said the same thing. We still can't believe he has gone and we all miss him. We really do, we miss him. It sounds mad, because I would go periods of time without speaking to him or seeing him. But not being able to pick the phone up or see him at different events has created a void."