Derek McInnes: My Nightmare 11


n Derek McInnes has earned himself a


reputation as one of the most talented young managers in the Scottish game. His success with St Johnstone has won him rave reviews both north and south of the border with Brentford and West Brom both being


linked with an interest in the likeable gaffer’s services. However, before he entered the dug-out McInnes cut his cloth as a hard-working midfielder with Rangers and West Brom. Having faced the best the Premiership has to offer as well as taking part in Rangers’


Edwin Van Der Saar Lilian Thuram Rio Ferdinand


Steven Gerrard Frank Lampard Paul Scholes Wayne Rooney


Roberto Baggio


At what age did you first realise you had a talent?


When I was nine, I started to notice I had a knack of scoring goals no matter how I was playing. I have always scored goals even at a young age.


When you were younger did you ever believe you could make it as a professional?


To be honest, when I was young, I always thought I would. It probably took me longer than I thought to sign for a pro club but, I have to look at myself for that.


What has been your biggest achievement(s)?


Winning the Scottish Cup three times is possibly best, but playing for Ayr United was great because I was once a ball boy for them.


Who is the most famous footballer you have played with or against?


I played against both Bobo Balde and Thomas Gravesen. I also played against Jorg Albertz but I would have to say Charlie Adam, because of where he is now.


Is there anything you wished you had done differently in your career?


I would have worked harder on my fitness between the ages of 16-18. I probably thought I had enough ability


22


David Gillies’ career has led him from Irvine Meadow to Irvine Vics, east to Auchinleck Talbot and then Stenhousemuir. He signed for Airdrie and Ayr United and finally returned to Auchinleck. He spoke to Paul Fisher about Bobo Balde, Jorg Albertz and Jose Mourinho among others


without working for it and I think I should have stayed with Ayr United longer, I left too early.


Your childhood idol?


Definitely Ally McCoist. I thought I was going to be the next McCoist.


What was the best match you were ever involved in?


The best match for me would be my first Scottish Cup semi- final. I had been injured and started the match on the bench but, I came on and scored the equaliser with my first touch. It was a great game, we won 2-1 and it led


to the first of my Scottish Cups.


What is the best match you have ever watched?


Newcastle against Liverpool, it ended 4-3 to Liverpool with Stan Collymore scoring the winner in the last minute.


Do you think a pyramid system, with relegation in the Scottish Division Three, would be a good thing for junior football?


It would be a good thing but I’m not sure if it would work due to the lack of money at the lower level. But I do think that the junior teams would do


well if it were to come into place.


Do you think the team can retain the Scottish Cup next year?


Hopefully, we just need to keep trying to improve and if the fixtures are good to us, I don’t see why not.


Anything else we have missed you would like to add?


I was once coached by Jose Mourinho. He was at


Inverclyde doing his coaching badges and I was lucky enough to spend six days with him.


Franco Baresi Paulo Maldini Luis Figo


European adventures under Walter Smith and Dick Advocaat, McInnes has come up against some of the greatest players ever to play the beautiful game. He spoke to Jamie Milligan to list the greatest XI he has faced as both a player and as a manager.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24