Cammy Devlin opened up about the intense pressure he experienced during the 2026 World Cup while he was on the verge of completing a transfer to Rangers. The 28‑year‑old midfielder, known for his combative style, 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, extending their run to five consecutive championships.
With his club season ending in disappointment, Devlin turned his attention to the international stage, joining the Australian national team for the World Cup in North America. Australia’s campaign was short‑lived, as the Socceroos were eliminated in the round of 32 after a penalty shoot‑out loss to Egypt.
Throughout the tournament, rumors swirled about Devlin potentially re‑uniting with former Hearts manager Derek McInnes, who had taken the helm at Rangers, and with club captain Lawrence Shankland, also a recent Ibrox signing. The speculation added another layer of distraction to an already demanding period. On 11 July, just one day after Hearts announced that Devlin would leave 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 pre‑season friendly victory over St Étienne at Ibrox.
Both the Light Blues supporters and McInnes praised his performance, noting how quickly he adapted to his new environment. Ahead of Rangers’ final pre‑season clash against West Ham United, Devlin reflected on the whirlwind of events that had unfolded over the past few months. "Honestly, it was stressful," he admitted.
"It was difficult, especially because we didn’t have much time to process how the previous season ended before we were thrust straight into the World Cup, which is one of the most special moments in a player's career." He went on to describe the personal side of the experience, mentioning that his parents and girlfriend had traveled to the United States to support him at the tournament. "When you’re a kid you never imagine you’ll have the chance to be part of something like that, so you try to soak up every moment," he said.
"I thought signing a new contract while I was out of contract would be a good idea, but it turned out to be too much pressure." Devlin explained that the constant media attention and the noise surrounding his potential move to Rangers made it hard to simply enjoy the World Cup. "Every day my dad was calling, asking what was happening. It was a lot to juggle," he recalled. "Everyone knows the close relationship I have with the manager.
He was a huge influence for me at Hearts. The season we had last year was tough, and he helped me a great deal as a player." He noted that while he had been in contact with McInnes early in the tournament, the conversations were limited because the manager was busy with his own responsibilities.
"When he became the Rangers manager, there was obviously a lot more going on than just my situation," Devlin said. "I tried not to get too caught up in it and just focus on the World Cup, but when the opportunity at Rangers presented itself, it was too good to turn down." The midfielder emphasized the magnitude of joining a club of Rangers’ stature. "Rangers is a massive football institution, and the chance to play there is something most players dream of," he said. "But the whole process was pretty stressful, and I’m relieved that it’s now behind me." 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.
The Friday night fixture, scheduled for an 8 p.m. kickoff, marks the start of a historic opening weekend in which all six Scottish Premiership matches will be shown live on the network for the first time. This will also be McInnes’s first competitive appearance in charge after succeeding Danny Röhl as Rangers manager. Fans can view the full list of Rangers’ Premiership fixtures, including the date of the season’s first Old Firm encounter, by following the club’s official channels.
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