Cammy Devlin has lifted the lid on the emotional toll of waiting for a Rangers move during the 2026 World Cup, describing the uncertainty as “too stressful” to endure while representing Australia in North America.
From Tynecastle to Ibrox: a season of heartbreak and change
The 28-year-old midfielder left Hearts on a free transfer after their dramatic title loss to Celtic on the final day of the Scottish Premiership season, a defeat that handed Celtic a fifth consecutive title. Devlin’s departure was confirmed on July 11, the same day he agreed a two-year deal with Rangers, with the option of a further year. His first appearance in a Rangers shirt came in the second half of Wednesday’s 2-1 friendly win over St Etienne at Ibrox, where he featured under manager Derek McInnes, the man who had recruited him to Tynecastle during his Hearts spell. The move reunites Devlin with McInnes and captain Lawrence Shankland, both of whom have since made the switch to Ibrox.
World Cup pressure: family, football and the weight of expectation
Devlin admitted the wait for Rangers to finalise his signing overshadowed his World Cup experience with Australia, who were eliminated at the last-32 stage by Egypt after a penalty shootout. Speaking ahead of Rangers’ pre-season friendly against West Ham, he said: “Yeah, it was stressful to be honest. It was hard obviously. We didn’t have much time to reflect on how last season ended and then it was straight into the World Cup, which is one of the most special moments of your career.” His parents and girlfriend were in America to support him during the tournament, yet the ongoing uncertainty about his future made it difficult to fully immerse himself in the competition. “You never think as a kid you would be lucky enough to be involved in that so you’re trying to enjoy that as much as you can,” he added. “I thought it would be a good idea going in there off contract, but it wasn’t. It was too stressful.”
Rangers’ summer rebuild takes shape
Devlin is one of seven summer signings so far at Ibrox, as McInnes continues to reshape the squad following a season that saw Rangers finish 13 points behind Celtic. The midfielder’s arrival adds competition and experience to a side preparing for their Premiership opener at Dundee United on July 31, live on Sky Sports. His integration into the group appears seamless, with McInnes already trusting him enough to hand him game time in a pre-season fixture. The manager’s relationship with Devlin, forged during their time together at Hearts, has clearly played a part in smoothing the transition. “Everyone knows the relationship I have with the gaffer. We’re super close,” Devlin said. “He was so good for me at…”
Rangers’ summer has been marked by both high-profile departures and targeted arrivals, with McInnes under pressure to deliver a stronger challenge for the title. Devlin’s signing is a statement of intent, but the midfielder’s own words reveal the human cost of navigating a transfer while representing his country at the World Cup. As the Gers prepare for a new campaign, the question remains whether Devlin can channel the intensity of that stressful wait into performances that justify McInnes’ faith in him.
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