ABERDEEN manager Derek McInnes has refused to be drawn on the vacant Rangers job after emerging as the early favourite.

McInnes is favourite with several bookmakers to take over from Pedro Caixinha at Ibrox after he was sacked on Thursday afternoon.

However McInnes, who had a five-year playing spell at Ibrox, played down speculation and insisted he was happy at Pittodrie.

He was linked with the job earlier in the year following the departure of Mark Warburton, and has only strengthened his credentials with a second-placed finish in the Ladbrokes Premiership last season, nine points ahead of Rangers.

McInnes, who rejected a move to Sunderland in the summer, said: “I’ve never been drawn on any speculation in the past, and I won’t change that now. I’ve been linked with different things in my time here, and nothing has transpired.

“I’ve been supposedly linked with clubs a couple of times, and in particular as well with Rangers. My job is here at Aberdeen and I’m happy here and nothing changes.”

McInnes’ Dons suffered their first league defeat of the season on Wednesday night after becoming the latest side to come off second best against Celtic, and will be looking to get back on track against Ross County this weekend.

Staggies manager Owen Coyle will be a familiar face for the Aberdeen boss, with the pair having worked together several times over the years.

“(He) was a team-mate at (Dundee) United and my manager at St Johnstone. I loved playing under him and I know the players will be enjoying playing under him at the minute at Ross County.

“He’s very big on morale and instilling confidence, and has shown how good a manager he is at other clubs.”