A Premiership title might have evaded the Scot last term, but he deservedly swooped the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year award, having overseen a stunning rise at Tynecastle.
The Gers could do with a similar resurgence this time around, having again ended 2025/26 empty-handed after moves for Russell Martin and Danny Rohl backfired.
The club hierarchy have gone with proven Premiership experience by hiring McInnes, with the same also true of their first two additions of the summer, the 54-year-old set to reunite with Lawrence Shankland and Ross McCrorie in Glasgow.
That might not be the end of the homecomings, however, with a certain Lewis Ferguson also on the agenda by all accounts.
The latest on a potential swap involving Ferguson and Raskin
McInnes saw his Hearts side powered by Shankland last term, while he previously worked with McCrorie in an Aberdeen side that also featured a young Ferguson.
In 115 games under the new Gers boss, the Hamilton-born midfielder scored and assisted 42 goals, quickly emerging as a star attraction in Scottish football after his release from Ibrox as a teenager.
A return to Glasgow has long been mooted since then, yet now there does appear to be real momentum behind it, with the 26-year-old facing an uncertain future at Bologna.
Ferguson - World Cup form
Stat (*per game)
Record
|
Games (starts)
|
3 (3)
|
|
Goals & Assists
|
|
|
Key passes*
|
0.3
|
|
Pass accuracy*
|
93%
|
|
Tackles*
|
4.0
|
|
Interceptions*
|
1.3
|
|
Recoveries*
|
3.7
|
|
Total duels won*
|
63%
|
|
Ground duels won*
|
67%
|
|
Fouls won*
|
3.3
|
As covered recently, the Serie A side are believed to be among the clubs interested in signing Nicolas Raskin from the Light Blues, having opened talks regarding a deal for the Belgian.
That has raised hopes of Ferguson moving in the opposite direction, if Raskin is to finally depart, with McInnes said to be particularly keen on a reunion.
Ferguson himself is also believed to be open to a conversation about a Premiership return, but whether Bologna are actually inclined to sell is another matter entirely.
Thankfully, the former Dons man isn't the only player on the agenda.
Rangers could sign a bigger talent than Raskin & Ferguson
If it means winning in the short-term, then reuniting McInnes with the likes of Shankland, McCrorie and Ferguson could be a smart move, even if there is likely to be little resale value in such pursuits.
There needs to be a balance, however, with the Ibrox hierarchy also needing to persist with their desire to raid Europe for the next big thing, as they did with regard to the likes of Tuur Rommens in January.
One man who didn't arrive in the winter window, despite rampant speculation, was Jens Hjerto-Dahl, although the midfield sensation could again be on the shortlist this time around.
It was reported earlier this year that talks had already been held regarding a summer move, while the Daily Record relayed news this week that he is still 'wanted' at Ibrox.
Valued at around £9m, the Tromso talent wouldn't exactly come cheap, although he does appear to be a future superstar in the making, having been in sparkling form in his native Norway.
It wouldn't be wrong to suggest that at just 20, the towering, elegant midfielder might even be a bigger prospect than both Raskin and Ferguson, such is the quality of his performances at such a young age.
In Norway's top-flight in 2026, he has already scored five goals in just 12 appearances, while registering two assists, a stunning return for a player typically deployed in a number eight role.
That comes after contributing eight goals and assists in 2025, while his average of successful dribbles completed across the last two years has been at 1.3 per game.
For comparison, in 2025/26 in Serie A, Ferguson scored just one goal and registered no assists in 22 appearances, while averaging just 0.1 successful dribbles per game.
As for Raskin, he did edge the youngster with 13 goals and assists, although he averaged just 0.8 successful dribbles per outing.
There's also plenty to like about what Hjerto-Dahl offers defensively too, having averaged a standout 5.1 ball recoveries in 2026, highlighting his ability to cover ground so effectively.
Again, for comparison, in Italy last term Ferguson averaged just 2.3 in that regard, while even the terrier-like Raskin averaged just 4.5 for the Gers.
At just 20, Hjerto-Dahl is already "one of the biggest talents in Norway", according to the Rangers Journal, seemingly destined for a marquee move before too long.
The appetite will be there for McInnes to make Ferguson his statement signing of the summer, yet with that deal certainly not going to come cheap, perhaps those funds could be better invested in the young Scandinavian instead.
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