Derek McInnes Set to Lead Rangers Despite Four-Match Ban as Club Appeals Punishment
Derek McInnes is preparing to make his debut as Rangers manager this Friday night against Dundee United, live on Sky Sports. This comes despite the imposition of a four-match ban following comments he made while managing Hearts last May, where he labeled a late penalty awarded to Celtic against Motherwell as "disgusting" amidst a tense title race. Rangers have confirmed their intention to appeal the ban, with the appeal expected to be lodged by Tuesday or Wednesday, just ahead of the Friday deadline. This appeal will allow McInnes to remain in the dugout until a hearing is conducted. The ban stems from a breach of disciplinary rule 72, which prohibits public criticism of match officials. Initially, McInnes was slated to miss his first three matches, with the additional game suspended unless further infractions occurred. Expressing his disappointment, McInnes stated, "I didn't think the punishment fitted the crime," during an interview with Sky Sports last weekend. Rangers issued a statement defending McInnes, arguing that his remarks were aimed at the decision in question rather than a broader critique of match officials. The club emphasized that similar comments by others in Scottish football had resulted in lesser or no disciplinary actions, raising concerns about the consistency of enforcement. They maintained that respect for officials and the right to scrutinize decisions should coexist, advocating for transparency and accountability as vital to enhancing standards in Scottish football.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-07-28