Cammy Devlin opened up about the intense pressure he experienced during the 2026 World Cup as he navigated a pivotal career move to Rangers. The 28‑year‑old, known for his combative style in midfield, had just endured a heartbreaking finish to the Scottish Premiership campaign with Hearts.
A late defeat away to Celtic on the final day handed the title to the Glasgow side for a fifth consecutive season, leaving Devlin and his teammates stunned. In the aftermath of that disappointment, Devlin embarked on a trip to North America with the Australian national team, the Socceroos, for the World Cup.
Australia’s tournament was cut short when they fell to Egypt in the round of 32, losing on penalties. The short‑lived World Cup adventure added another layer of emotion to an already turbulent period in Devlin’s professional life.
Throughout his stint with the Socceroos, rumors swirled about a possible reunion with former Hearts manager Derek McInnes, who had taken the reins at Rangers, and with club captain Lawrence Shankland, also a former Hearts player. The speculation grew louder after Hearts announced on July 10 that Devlin would be leaving Tynecastle on a free transfer. The very next day, on July 11, Devlin signed a two‑year contract with Rangers, with an option to extend for a further year.
Devlin’s debut in a Rangers shirt came in the second half of a pre‑season friendly against French side St Étienne at Ibrox, a match that ended 2‑1 in favour of the home team. His performance earned praise from the Rangers supporters and from McInnes, who had previously coached him at Hearts.
With another friendly against West Ham United looming on the weekend, Devlin reflected on the whirlwind of events that had unfolded over the past few months. "Yeah, it was stressful, to be honest," the Sydney‑born midfielder admitted in a post‑match interview. "It was hard, obviously.
We didn’t have much time to process how the season ended, and then we were thrust straight into the World Cup, which is one of the most special moments in a player's career." He went on to describe the personal side of the experience, noting that his family had travelled to the United States to support him during the tournament. "My mum, my dad, and my girlfriend were over in America cheering me on. As a kid you never imagine you’ll get the chance to be part of something that big, so you try to soak it all in," he said. Devlin confessed that he had initially thought leaving Hearts on a free transfer would simplify his situation, but the reality proved far more complicated.
"I thought it would be a good idea to go into the World Cup without a contract, but it turned out to be too stressful. It was difficult to enjoy the moment at the tournament while dealing with all the noise and uncertainty surrounding my future," he explained. He highlighted the close relationship he shares with McInnes, describing the manager as a mentor who helped him through a challenging season at Hearts. "Everyone knows how tough that season was for us, and Derek was incredibly supportive.
When he got the Rangers job, we kept in touch, but there wasn’t a huge amount of communication at first. Of course, once he became the Rangers manager, there were many more factors to consider beyond just my own situation." Devlin tried to keep his focus on the World Cup rather than the looming transfer, but the opportunity to join one of Scotland’s most storied clubs proved impossible to ignore.
"When the chance to sign for Rangers came up, it was too good to pass up. Playing for a club of that magnitude is a dream for any Scottish footballer," he said, adding that the decision ultimately added to the stress he was already feeling.
He concluded on a more positive note, expressing relief that the period of uncertainty had finally ended. "It was pretty stressful, but I’m glad it’s all over now," he said, looking forward to his new chapter at Ibrox. Rangers will kick off McInnes’s tenure with a league match against Dundee United on July 31, broadcast live on Sky Sports. The Friday night fixture, set for an 8 p.m.
kickoff, will be part of a historic opening weekend in which all six Scottish Premiership games are shown live on Sky for the first time. This encounter will also mark McInnes’s first competitive appearance in charge after replacing Danny Röhl as Rangers manager. Fans can follow the full schedule of Rangers’ Premiership fixtures, including the date of the season’s first Old Firm clash, through the club’s official channels. Additionally, a promotional Super 6 competition offers a chance to win a £250,000 prize, with free entry available to participants.
Overall, Devlin’s candid reflections illustrate the emotional roller‑coaster that can accompany a high‑profile transfer, especially when it coincides with a major international tournament. His story underscores the personal sacrifices players make, the importance of strong relationships with managers, and the intense scrutiny that follows every career decision in modern football.