Rangers’ Cammy Devlin happy to reunite with Derek McInnes and Lawrence Shankland
Australia midfielder Cammy Devlin is delighted to have made a swift reunion with former Hearts colleagues Derek McInnes and Lawrence Shankland after signing a two-year contract with Rangers.
The 28-year-old’s five-year stint with the Jambos came to an end after he turned down the chance of a new contract that would have made him the highest-paid player at the Edinburgh club before finalising a move to Ibrox on Saturday.
It means Devlin – part of Australia’s World Cup squad this summer – will again be working under manager McInnes, who was headhunted by Rangers to replace Danny Rohl last month after an impressive campaign in charge of Hearts.
“He was a massive part of why we were successful and a big part of why I feel I had a good season,” Devlin said in a club interview.
“He gave me confidence, gave me a sense of freedom to go out there and express myself. I really enjoyed my football and he was a big reason for that, so when he gave me the call and let me know that this was possible, it was something I was excited about.
“I feel like he’s the right man at the right time to take over this football club, which he knows so well. Just to be a part of that is amazing, something that I’m so excited about.”
Former Hearts captain Shankland also made the move to Ibrox this summer after four years as a team-mate of Devlin’s at Tynecastle.
“Ever since I’ve been here (in Scotland), Shanks has been linked with Rangers every single window, so I think it’s been a long time coming for him,” said the Australian.
“I know he’s really excited, with his whole family. We’re really close with all of them. I’ve obviously spoke to him about this and everything that comes with it and I’m looking forward to sharing a changing room with him. We’re really good mates and we share the same ambition.
“We’re hungry people that want to be successful in our careers and we feel there’s no better place to do that than at Rangers. I’m really happy we can just do it together and I’m looking forward to seeing him.”
Devlin is Rangers’ sixth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Shankland, Ross McCrorie, Ben Godfrey, Ivor Pandur and Dan Neil. He believes the five years he has spent at Hearts will help him hit the ground running.
“Playing at Ibrox as an opposition player, it can be a daunting place at times to be on the other team,” said Devlin.
“So to be wearing that jersey now and being on the right side of it is going to be such a cool feeling. I feel like being here for so long now is going to leave me in good stead. I know what to expect.
“I’m not coming into a place where I don’t really know how it works and I know exactly the size of the club. I’ll be doing everything in my power to get Rangers success.”