Cammy Devlin opened up about the mental strain he endured during the 2026 World Cup as he navigated his imminent transfer to Rangers. The 28‑year‑old, known for his combative midfield style, had just endured a heartbreaking finale to the Scottish Premiership campaign with Hearts.
A last‑minute defeat away at 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 wake of that disappointment, Devlin joined the Australian national squad for the World Cup in North America.
The Socceroos’ journey was cut short in the round of 32, where they fell to Egypt in a penalty shoot‑out. Throughout the tournament, rumours swirled about a possible reunion with former Hearts manager Derek McInnes, who had taken the helm at Rangers, and club captain Lawrence Shankland, also a former Hearts player.
On 11 July, a day after Hearts announced that Devlin would be departing Tynecastle on a free transfer, the midfielder sealed a two‑year contract with Rangers, with an option to extend for a further season. He made his debut in the famous blue strip during the second half of a 2‑1 pre‑season friendly against St Étienne at Ibrox, earning praise from both the travelling Light Blues supporters and McInnes himself. Ahead of Rangers’ final warm‑up match against West Ham United, Devlin reflected on the whirlwind of events that had dominated his summer.
"It was stressful, to be honest," he admitted. "We finished the league in a dramatic fashion, then straight into the World Cup – one of the biggest moments in any player's career.
There was barely any time to process what had happened with Hearts before we were thrust into a global tournament." He went on to describe the personal side of the experience. "My mum, dad and girlfriend were in America cheering me on at the World Cup. As a kid you never imagine you’ll get the chance to represent your country on that stage, so you try to soak up every minute. But being out of contract and trying to keep my options open added a layer of anxiety.
It felt like everything was happening at once – the World Cup, the transfer speculation, the media chatter. It was hard to be present and enjoy the moment." Devlin highlighted his close relationship with McInnes, noting how the manager had been a pivotal figure during his time at Hearts. "He helped me a lot last season, both on and off the pitch.
When he moved to Rangers we kept in touch, but it wasn’t a constant dialogue. I understood that once he became the Rangers boss, his responsibilities would expand far beyond my own situation." He explained why the opportunity to join Rangers ultimately proved irresistible despite the pressure.
"When the chance came, I thought it was too good to turn down. Rangers are a massive club with a rich history, and playing at Ibrox has always been a dream. Still, the timing – juggling a World Cup campaign while sorting out my future – made it a very stressful period. I’m relieved that it’s over and I can now focus on the new chapter." Rangers will kick off McInnes’s tenure with a league match against Dundee United on 31 July, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The 8 p.m. kickoff marks the start of an unprecedented opening weekend in which all six Scottish Premiership fixtures will be shown live for the first time. This will also be McInnes’s first competitive appearance as Rangers manager after succeeding Danny Röhl.
For fans eager to track Devlin’s progress, Rangers have released the full Premiership schedule, including the date of the season’s first Old Firm clash. The club’s pre‑season programme, highlighted by the friendly against West Ham, offers a glimpse of how the new signings are integrating into McInnes’s system.
Beyond the on‑field action, the article also mentions a promotional Super 6 competition offering a £250,000 prize, encouraging readers to enter for free. While the original piece contained several links to streaming options for the Scottish Premiership on NOW and Sky Sports, the core narrative remains Devlin’s candid assessment of a hectic summer: a blend of heartbreak, international duty, and a high‑profile transfer that tested his mental resilience but ultimately set the stage for the next phase of his career at one of Scotland’s most storied clubs.