Derek McInnes signs Aberdeen contract extension

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has signed a deal until 2019. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The duo have enjoyed overwhelming success since taking over from Craig Brown in March 2013, including lifting the Scottish League Cup, Aberdeen’s first major honour in 19 years.

Disappointment in both cup competitions this past campaign was offset by an outstanding league term where the Dons pushed Celtic for the title and eventually finished on 75 points, the highest total by any non-Old Firm side in the three-points-for-a-win era.

McInnes was recently linked with a move to Rangers after it was reported the former Gers midfielder was top of the Ibrox board’s ‘wish list’ of potential managers.

Even with two years left on their current deal, Aberdeen moved to secure the pair and extended the contracts to 2019.

McInnes said: “I’ve said all along that I don’t want our tenure with Aberdeen to be remembered for having lifted one trophy and that we are looking to have the type of scenes witnessed last March replicated on a regular basis.

“Tony and I are totally committed to bringing as much success as we possibly can to this club and, while we’ve already achieved some progress, we still have a long way to go.

“This is a great club, with great fans and a fantastic squad of players and I’m looking forward to what promises to be an exciting season ahead.

“The commitment shown by the chairman and the players towards me made this decision very easy to make and that commitment from Tony and myself will be reciprocated.”

Chairman Stewart Milne added: “I’m sure this news will be as huge a boost to our supporters as it is to me personally.

“Derek and Tony have made tremendous progress in the two years they have been here and I’m absolutely delighted that they want to remain to see through the job that they’ve started.”