Derek McInnes would probably turn down Aberdeen's approach if the Dons' hierarchy came calling for their former manager.
That's the opinion of ex-Rangers captain Barry Ferguson, who played alongside the Kilmarnock boss at Ibrox.
Aberdeen go into Saturday's Scottish Cup quarter-final tie with Killie having won just one of their last seven games since Neil Warnock's well-documented arrival. The Pittodrie club are in a bit of a rut, sitting third from bottom in the Scottish Premiership standings and Warnock recently stated the cup will be a welcomed break from league action.
Veteran boss Warnock is only there on an interim basis and that's prompted the question of who will get the role long-term. Ferguson reckons the Aberdeen board will surely have a plan in place as he ruled out the prospect of McInnes, who was in the Reds hot seat between 2013 and 2021, making a grand return.
He told Go Radio: "I would've thought they would have someone in mind to take his place because he's come in as interim. I would like to think that they know who they want and who they are going to get.
"The names that have been mentioned; Neil Lennon, Alex Neil, Jack Ross, Derek McInnes...but he's already in a job."
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McInnes won the 2014 Scottish League Cup with Aberdeen and also delivered several second placed league finishes as well as some memorable European results. He's now thriving down in Ayrshire, with the Rugby Park club plotting ambitious plans on and off the field.
And that's why Ferguson reckons McInnes will stay put regardless of who comes calling.
"I don't think he would go," Ferguson continued. "I think he's got something good at Kilmarnock. He's recruited well. You look at his recruitment in the summer, it was very good, also in January.
"Their crowds are back as well, they are getting decent attendances, a new training ground's on the way, they've got a good owner, good board, so why would you want to move from that.
"I think if you ask Derek, it never went according to plan at Bristol City. I don't know, I just think he's found somewhere where he is, I wouldn't say comfortable because you never want to be comfortable, you need to be on edge a wee bit, but I just think they are a good match; Kilmarnock and Derek."
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