Cammy Devlin opened up about the intense pressure he experienced during the 2026 World Cup while he was in the process of securing a transfer to Rangers. The 28-year-old, hard‑working midfielder had just endured a heartbreaking conclusion to his season with Heart of Midlothian, missing out on the Scottish Premiership crown after a late defeat away to Celtic on the final matchday – a loss that handed Celtic their fifth consecutive title. In the wake of that disappointment, Devlin joined the Australian national side for the World Cup, only to see the Socceroos eliminated in the round of 32 by Egypt in a penalty shoot‑out. Throughout his international campaign, 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.
On 11 July, 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 blue shirt during the second half of a 2‑1 pre‑season friendly win over St Étienne at Ibrox, earning praise from the Light Blues supporters and from McInnes himself. Ahead of Rangers’ final warm‑up match against West Ham United, Devlin reflected on the whirlwind of events that had defined the past few months. "It was stressful, to be honest," he admitted.
"We didn’t have much time to process how the season ended at Hearts, and then we were thrust straight into the World Cup – one of the most special moments of any player's career." He went on to describe the unique feeling of having his family travel across the Atlantic to support him in Qatar, noting that as a child he never imagined he would be in that position. "You try to soak up every moment, but the pressure was immense," he said. Devlin explained that he had initially thought it would be a good idea to let his contract run out and become a free agent, believing that the freedom would give him more leverage in negotiations. "In theory it sounded sensible, but in practice it was too stressful," he explained.
The combination of World Cup duties, the lingering disappointment of the Hearts title miss, and the constant media speculation about his next club created a perfect storm of anxiety. "I found it hard to enjoy the tournament itself because there was always that background noise – phone calls, messages, my dad asking me every day what was happening," he recalled. He also highlighted the close personal relationship he shares with McInnes, describing the manager as a mentor who helped him through a difficult season at Hearts.
"He was fantastic for me at Hearts. Everyone knows how we fought that season and how much he supported me on and off the pitch.
When he took the Rangers job, we kept in touch, but there wasn’t a huge amount of communication at first," Devlin said. "I can imagine that once he became the Rangers boss, his responsibilities multiplied and my situation became just one of many pieces in a larger puzzle." Despite trying to keep his focus on the World Cup, the prospect of joining a club of Rangers' stature proved too tempting to ignore.
"When the opportunity came, it felt too good to pass up. Playing for Rangers is a massive step – it’s a club with a huge fan base, a rich history, and the chance to compete for major honours," he explained.
Yet he emphasized that the whole process was a source of considerable stress. "It was a lot to juggle – the World Cup, the transfer talks, the media hype – and it took a toll. I’m relieved that it’s all behind me now." Rangers will kick off McInnes’s tenure with a league match against Dundee United on 31 July, a game that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports as part of a historic opening weekend that sees all six Scottish Premiership fixtures shown live for the first time. The encounter will also mark McInnes’s first competitive appearance in charge after succeeding Danny Röhl as manager.
Fans can view the full Rangers schedule, including the date of the season’s first Old Firm clash, through the club’s official channels. In summary, Devlin’s candid interview sheds light on the emotional roller‑coaster that accompanies a high‑profile transfer during a major international tournament.
The midfielder’s honesty about his anxiety, family support, and the weight of expectations provides a nuanced perspective on what many fans only see as a simple contract signing. While the stress was palpable, Devlin now looks forward to focusing on his new chapter at Rangers, eager to contribute to the club’s ambitions and to finally enjoy the game without the shadow of uncertainty hanging over him.