Rangers manager Derek McInnes will miss four games on the touchline after the Scottish FA handed him a ban for remarks he made about a controversial Celtic penalty while still in charge of Hearts last season.
What happened?
McInnes described the stoppage-time penalty awarded to Celtic in a 3-2 win at Motherwell on May 13 as “disgusting,” comments that triggered a four-match touchline ban from the Scottish FA. The suspension includes three immediate games and one suspended until the end of the season. Rangers insist the comments were aimed at the decision, not the officials, and point out similar language has been used elsewhere without punishment.
The ban means McInnes will watch from the stands when Rangers open their Premiership campaign away to Dundee United on July 31. He will also miss the league clash with Hibernian and a League Cup tie in August, but can operate on the touchline for their Europa League qualifier against Jagiellonia Białystok.
Why it matters for Rangers
Rangers sit second in the Premiership with 69 points from 33 games last season, just one behind Hearts, and have already kicked off the new campaign with a 5-2 thrashing of Falkirk on May 16. Their recent form reads WWLLL, with two straight wins before that slide. The club argues McInnes’s remarks were part of legitimate scrutiny, not personal attacks, and that open debate is vital for improving standards.
The penalty incident itself sparked wider fallout. Referee John Beaton had his contact details leaked online, prompting police surveillance at his home. SFA head of referees Willie Collum backed the call, insisting there was “clear evidence” of a punishable handball.
What comes next?
Rangers face Dundee United away on July 31 knowing McInnes will be in the stands. The domestic ban also rules him out for the Hibernian league game and a League Cup tie in August, though he can take charge of the Europa League qualifier against Jagiellonia Białystok. The club has confirmed it will appeal the ban, arguing the punishment is disproportionate given similar language has been tolerated elsewhere.
The decision arrives as Rangers prepare for a season where they sit one point behind Hearts in the Premiership table. Their attack has already fired 66 goals last term with a +35 goal difference, though recent form shows a dip with three losses in their last five outings. The next fixture sees them travel to face Hearts on October 28, the league leaders.
Rangers’ statement stressed that respect for officials and honest scrutiny are not opposing ideas. They added that managers, players and clubs must be able to question major decisions if Scottish football wants to raise standards and keep trust in the game.
