Kyle Lafferty has tipped Derek McInnes to become a Rangers dressing-room leader in the mould of Walter Smith, and says there are echoes of the Ibrox legend in his old gaffer’s style.
The former Rangers striker worked under both men and insists he can see clear similarities in how they handle players and command respect, and revealed he has been making the comparison for years.
In an interview with the Daily Record, Lafferty said: “It’s funny because I actually said this a few years ago, Derek reminds me of Walter Smith. I don’t want to compare him to Walter and put extra pressure on his back. There’s only one Walter.
“However, there are definitely bits of Derek that make me feel there is a bit of Walter in him. He obviously worked under him, and his man-management is similar. The players will literally want to run through brick walls for him.
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“I know all of the players will love him. And I’m not just talking about the players he’s signed. I’m talking about guys who were around last season and probably expected to move away from Rangers.
“But being around Derek and his coaching staff, I think it will now be hard for some of them to leave, because everyone will immediately feel part of the team.”
"He’s got that aura about him, and he makes people sit up and take notice.”
