Former Glasgow Rangers player Derek McInnes has expressed his surprise that the Gers did not try to sign Ali McCann from St. Johnstone this summer.

The Lowdown: McCann joins Preston

Earlier this summer, McCann made the move to Preston North End in the English Championship.

The Lilywhites paid £1.25m for his services (Lancs Live). Rangers fans wanted the club to move for the 21-year-old (Rangers News), but clearly a concrete bid never arrived from Ross Wilson and co.

The Latest: McInnes surprised

Speaking to The Sunday Mail, McInnes suggested Rangers or Celtic should have made an offer for the 21-year-old. He said:

"McCann lacks a bit of finesse and quality with his final pass and he could probably score more goals, but he has everything else.

"He is a responsible midfielder, a real competitor who knows his job and is good on the ball. I have played and managed in the English Championship and he will deal with that fine.

"I am just surprised and disappointed that neither player (McCann or Jason Kerr) has stayed in the Scottish league.

"McCann would have been an easy one for Celtic or Rangers to take and such a hard one for Callum to replace."

The Verdict: Promising player

McCann showed promise in the middle of the park as St. Johnstone impressed last term. He made 43 appearances in all competitions for the Saints (Transfermarkt) as Callum Davidson's side won both the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup - something incredibly difficult to do in Scotland when you aren't Rangers and Celtic.

In the Gers' case, they brought in two new midfielders in Juninho Bacuna and John Lundstram - they did not really need to make a move for McCann. Still, with his ability, he could prove them wrong and McInnes right south of the border.

In other news, Rangers fans react to this latest Heart and Hand twist.