Celtic supporters are unlikely to be losing much sleep over reports that Rangers have agreed a deal to appoint Derek McInnes.
The incoming Ibrox boss arrives with a long managerial history in Scottish football, but his record against Celtic is impossible to ignore.
For Celtic supporters, one statistic immediately stands out. Rangers appear set to hand the job to a manager who has faced the Hoops 61 times and lost 47 of those matches. That includes Hearts’ title collapse at Celtic Park last season.
That record does not guarantee what will happen next. It does, however, explain why many Celtic fans will view this development with far more optimism than concern.
Should Celtic fans be delighted Rangers are turning to Derek McInnes?
Or are we underestimating him?
Celtic fans will immediately focus on one Derek McInnes statistic
Reports indicate Rangers have agreed a deal to appoint Derek McInnes. While the move has yet to be formally announced, Celtic supporters will already know where to look first.
McInnes has faced Celtic 61 times during his managerial career.
- 61 matches
- 10 wins
- 4 draws
- 47 defeats
- 0.56 points per match
- 50 goals scored
- 142 goals conceded
Celtic’s dominance is reflected in the numbers
The scale of those figures is striking. Celtic have won more than three quarters of their meetings with McInnes across multiple clubs, squads and seasons.
That makes it difficult to argue the record is an anomaly. The sample size is simply too large.
Celtic remain the benchmark Rangers must overcome
Celtic enter the new campaign as reigning Premiership champions and Scottish Cup winners. Any Rangers manager will ultimately be judged on whether he can consistently close that gap.
Rangers supporters will point to McInnes’ recent work at Hearts as evidence that he can succeed. Based on the evidence available today, though, Celtic supporters are entitled to view this appointment positively.
A record of 10 wins from 61 attempts against Celtic raises questions that will not disappear any time soon.
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