Cammy Devlin opened up about the anxiety he experienced during the 2026 World Cup as he prepared for a career‑changing transfer to Rangers. The 28‑year‑old, known for his combative style in midfield, had just endured a heartbreaking finale 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. Following that disappointment, Devlin boarded a flight to North America to join the Australian national side at the World Cup. The Socceroos’ journey was cut short when they fell to Egypt in the round of 32 after a penalty shoot‑out.
Throughout the tournament, rumors swirled about Devlin possibly reuniting with former Hearts manager Derek McInnes, who had recently taken the helm at Rangers, and with club captain Lawrence Shankland, also a former Hearts player now wearing the Gers badge. On 11 July, a day after Hearts announced that Devlin would be leaving Tynecastle on a free transfer, he signed a two‑year contract with Rangers, with an option to extend for a further year. He made his debut in the famous blue strip during the second half of a 2‑1 friendly win over St Étienne at Ibrox, earning praise from the Light Blues supporters and from McInnes himself.
In the lead‑up to Rangers’ final pre‑season friendly against West Ham United, the Sydney‑born midfielder reflected on the whirlwind of events that had dominated his summer. "Yeah, it was stressful, to be honest," he admitted.
"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 – one of the most special moments in a player's career." Devlin highlighted the personal side of the experience, noting that his parents and girlfriend had travelled to America to cheer him on. "You never think as a kid that you’ll be lucky enough to be involved in something like that, so you try to enjoy it as much as possible," he said.
However, the combination of contract uncertainty, the pressure of performing on the world stage, and the constant media chatter made the period feel overwhelming. "I thought it would be a good idea going in there off‑contract, but it wasn’t. It was too stressful," he explained.
He described how the noise surrounding his future made it difficult to live in the moment at the tournament. "It was hard to enjoy being at the World Cup and dealing with all that and all the noise around it. My dad was calling me every day asking what was happening," Devlin recalled.
The midfielder also emphasized his close relationship with McInnes, who had been a mentor during his time at Hearts. "Everyone knows the season we had at Hearts last year and how much he helped me as a player.
We’re super close," he said. When McInnes was appointed Rangers manager, Devlin said the dynamics changed. "I was speaking to him, and when he got the job here, we had contact at the start, but not a whole lot. I can imagine when he became the Rangers manager, there was a lot more going on than just me," Devlin noted, acknowledging the broader responsibilities that now surrounded his former boss.
Despite trying to stay focused on the World Cup, Devlin admitted that the prospect of joining Rangers was too tempting to ignore. "I was trying not to focus too much on it and just enjoy the World Cup, but when the opportunity came, it was one I thought was too good to pass up," he said.
He recognized the magnitude of the move, describing Rangers as "a massive football club" and acknowledging the weight of expectation that comes with wearing the iconic blue jersey. "It was pretty stressful, but I’m glad now it’s all over," Devlin concluded, expressing relief that the chaotic summer had finally settled. Rangers will kick off McInnes’s tenure with a league fixture against Dundee United on 31 July, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The Friday night match, set for an 8 p.m. kickoff, will be part of a historic opening weekend where 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 succeeding 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 £250,000, with free entry available to participants. Overall, Devlin’s candid remarks shed light on the emotional roller‑coaster that accompanies a high‑profile transfer, especially when it coincides with the pressures of a World Cup campaign. His story underscores the human side of professional football – the family support, the uncertainty of contracts, the loyalty to former mentors, and the exhilaration of stepping onto a new stage with one of Scotland’s most storied clubs.