Cammy Devlin opened up about the pressure he endured during the 2026 World Cup while he was on the brink of a move to Rangers. The 28‑year‑old, known for his combative midfield style, had just endured a heart‑breaking 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 and left Hearts in the runner‑up position. Still reeling from that disappointment, Devlin joined the Australian national team on a trip to North America, where the Socceroos were eventually eliminated in the round of 32 by Egypt after a penalty shoot‑out.

During his stint with the Socceroos, rumours swirled about a possible reunion with former Hearts manager Derek McInnes and club captain Lawrence Shankland, both of whom had already taken up positions at Ibrox. The speculation added another layer of anticipation to Devlin’s already busy schedule.

On 11 July, just a day after Hearts announced that Devlin would be departing Tynecastle on a free transfer, the midfielder signed a two‑year contract with Rangers, with an option for a third year. He made his debut in a Rangers shirt later that week, coming on in the second half of a 2‑1 friendly victory over French side St Étienne at Ibrox. Fans and McInnes alike praised his performance, noting how quickly he seemed to settle into the new environment.

Speaking ahead of Rangers’ final pre‑season friendly against West Ham United, the Sydney‑born player admitted that the period leading up to his signing had been exceptionally taxing. "Yeah, it was stressful, to be honest," he said.

"It was hard, obviously. We didn’t have much time to process how the season ended, and then we were thrown straight into the World Cup, which is one of the most special moments of a player’s career." Devlin highlighted the personal dimension of the tournament, noting that his parents and girlfriend had traveled to America to support him.

"You never think as a kid you’ll be lucky enough to be involved in something like that, so you try to enjoy it as much as possible," he explained. However, he added that the timing of his contract situation made the experience even more fraught. "I thought it would be a good idea going in there off‑contract, but it wasn’t. It was too stressful." He described the difficulty of staying present at the World Cup while juggling the constant chatter surrounding his future.

"It was hard to enjoy being in the moment and being at the World Cup and dealing with all that noise around it. My dad was calling me every day, asking what was happening," Devlin recalled. He emphasized the close relationship he shares with McInnes, noting that the manager had been a pivotal figure at Hearts.

"He was so good for me at Hearts. Everyone knows the season we had there last year and how much he helped me as a player. So obviously I was speaking to him. When he got the job here, we had contact at the start, but not a whole lot." Devlin acknowledged that once McInnes was appointed Rangers manager, the dynamics changed dramatically.

"When he became the Rangers manager, there was a lot more going on than just me, and you’ve got to remember that," he said. He tried to keep his focus on the World Cup, but the prospect of joining a club of Rangers’ stature proved 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 admitted. He summed up his feelings about the move by saying that while the whole episode was undeniably stressful, he is relieved that the uncertainty has finally been resolved. "Obviously being at Rangers is such a massive football club and that was kind of what happened for me. But like I say, it was pretty stressful.

I’m glad now it’s all over," Devlin concluded. Rangers will kick off McInnes’s tenure with a league match against Dundee United on 31 July, broadcast live on Sky Sports. The Friday night fixture, scheduled 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 the network for the first time. This encounter will also mark McInnes’s first competitive appearance in charge after replacing Danny Röhl as the club’s manager. Supporters can view the full Rangers Premiership schedule, including the date of the season’s first Old Firm clash, by following the club’s official channels.

Additionally, fans are encouraged to take part in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, with entry available at no cost.