But McInnes is frustrated with the way the speculation has rumbled on over the last few weeks, since Pedro Caixinha was sacked.

The situation has had an impact on his Aberdeen team as they lost back-to-back games to Rangers – surrendering second place in the table into the bargain.

McInnes, who has made it clear he is happy at Pittodrie, said: “I made my position clear a few weeks ago and this has been ongoing.

“It just feels as if it has dragged on and dragged on. I’m not happy with how things have been played out.

“I know you boys in the media have a job to do and must be getting fed some stuff, so there has been plenty of encouragement to run stories. Ex-players seem to know a lot more than everybody else.

“Everybody seems to be in the know and every other day there is someone giving an opinion on my future and what Rangers are doing.

“It’s wrong for me to make a comment on speculation or assumption. I am manager of Aberdeen and my job is to get a winning team on the pitch. That’s all I’ve ever done.”

Goalkeeper Joe Lewis would be gutted if McInnes was to leave the Dons.

Lewis said: “I’m sure it will get sorted out soon. It would be a blow as he’s a good manager but it’s football and whatever happens, we are not in control of that. 

“We just need to get on with whatever happens. I don’t want to get involved in things which might or might not happen.

“We’ll take it as it comes, hopefully they’ll appoint a manager this week and we can all move on with things.” 

McInnes thought his team were improved on the one that capitulated at Ibrox on Wednesday.  He felt his team deserved something but knows the goals they lost were of their own making.

He admitted: “That was a more Aberdeen-like performance, I thought we were very strong.

“The last two weeks have been disappointing. During the week we have allowed Rangers to impose themselves on the game, they get a penalty and get their tails up.

“Though we gifted a goal from a set-play, I thought we set the boys up better today. We were far more committed.

“That’s why I feel for my players, when we put so much motivation in that we don’t get a result. But it’s fine lines.”