Cammy Devlin opened up about the intense pressure he experienced during the 2026 World Cup as he navigated his transition to Rangers. The 28‑year‑old, known for his combative style in midfield, 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 giants for a fifth consecutive season, leaving Devlin and his teammates stunned.
In the wake of that disappointment, Devlin embarked on a trip across the Atlantic with the Australian national side, the Socceroos. Australia’s World Cup journey was short‑lived, ending in the round of 32 when they fell to Egypt in a penalty shoot‑out. The tournament, which is a pinnacle moment for any player, quickly became a whirlwind of emotion for Devlin, who was simultaneously dealing with the end of his contract at Hearts and rumors swirling about his future.
Throughout his stint with the Socceroos, speculation ran rampant that he might reunite with former Hearts manager Derek McInnes, who had taken the helm at Rangers, and with club captain Lawrence Shankland, also a former Hearts player now wearing the blue jersey. The notion of re‑uniting with familiar faces added another layer of intrigue to an already complex situation. On 11 July, just a day after Hearts announced that Devlin would be leaving Tynecastle on a free transfer, the midfielder signed a two‑year contract with Rangers, with an option for a third year. The deal marked a significant step in his career, moving from a club that had just missed out on a league crown to one of Scotland’s most storied institutions.
Devlin’s first appearance in the iconic royal blue came in the second half of a pre‑season friendly against French side St Étienne. Rangers secured a 2‑1 victory, and Devlin’s performance earned praise from both the travelling Light Blues supporters and manager McInnes, who was clearly impressed with his new signing’s energy and commitment.
Ahead of Rangers’ final warm‑up match against West Ham United, scheduled for the following Sunday, the Sydney‑born midfielder reflected on the emotional roller‑coaster he had just endured. "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, which is one of the most special moments in a player's career." Devlin spoke about the personal support he received during the tournament.
"My mum, my dad and my girlfriend were over in America cheering me on at the World Cup. As a kid you never imagine you’ll get the chance to be part of something that big, so you try to soak up every second of it." He went on to explain why he had initially thought leaving Hearts on a free transfer would be a smart move. "I thought it would be a good idea to go into the market as a free agent, but it turned out to be too stressful. It was difficult to enjoy the World Cup moment while dealing with all the noise and speculation surrounding my next club.
My dad was calling me every day asking what was happening." The relationship between Devlin and McInnes, forged during their time together at Hearts, was a central theme in his comments. "Everyone knows the bond I have with the gaffer; we’re really close. He was fantastic for me at Hearts.
Everyone remembers the season we had last year and how much he helped me as a player. So naturally I was in contact with him. When he got the Rangers job, we talked at the start, but not a lot, because you have to remember there was a lot more going on for him than just me." He emphasized his attempt to stay focused on the World Cup rather than the transfer drama.
"I tried not to dwell on it and just enjoy the tournament, but when the opportunity at Rangers presented itself, it felt too good to turn down. Rangers is a massive club, and that was a huge factor for me.
Still, it was pretty stressful. I’m glad it’s over now." Rangers will kick off McInnes’s tenure with a league clash against Dundee United on 31 July, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The Friday night fixture, set for an 8 p.m. kickoff, is part of a historic opening weekend that will see all six Scottish Premiership games shown live on the network for the first time.
This game will also mark McInnes’s first competitive appearance as Rangers manager after succeeding Danny Röhl. Fans can view the full Rangers fixture list, including the date of the season’s first Old Firm encounter, by following the club’s official channels.
In addition, a promotional Super 6 competition is running, offering a chance to win £250,000 with free entry. Overall, Devlin’s candid reflections highlight the dual pressures of performing on the world stage and navigating a pivotal career move. His experience underscores how professional athletes must balance personal ambitions, family support, and the ever‑present scrutiny of media and fans, especially when a transfer to a club as prominent as Rangers is on the line.