Derek McInnes Awaits Hearing That Could Shape His First Old Firm Experience
Derek McInnes could potentially take his place in the stands for his inaugural Old Firm match as Rangers manager, pending the outcome of a hearing scheduled for 31 August regarding his four-match touchline ban. This penalty was imposed in July due to comments made during his tenure as Hearts boss, where he criticized a controversial late penalty awarded to Celtic during a match against Motherwell on 13 May. The decision, which allowed Kelechi Iheanacho to convert a stoppage-time spot-kick, was pivotal in maintaining Celtic's title chase, as they ultimately secured the championship by defeating Hearts in a decisive final match. Rangers are contesting the ban, arguing that McInnes's remarks were specifically aimed at the decision rather than a broader criticism of officials. McInnes expressed his disagreement with the ruling, stating, "I don't agree with it and the club don't agree with it. I'm glad that we're going to appeal against that." In his 19 years of management, he emphasized the importance of candid reactions from managers, especially in high-stakes scenarios: Upcoming Matches: - Falkirk (Away) - 2 September - Motherwell (Home) - 5 September - Celtic (League Cup Quarter-finals) - 13 September He underlined that his comments were not intended to escalate tensions and maintained that they were made in a controlled manner amidst a highly emotional context. McInnes's appeal could significantly influence his presence during these crucial fixtures.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-08-24