Derek McInnes faces an SFA Notice of Complaint after calling Celtic’s late penalty at Motherwell “disgusting”.
- Celtic were awarded a controversial late penalty against Motherwell at Fir Park.
- McInnes made the remarks after Hearts' match on the same night.
- The Scottish FA case could bring sanctions or a touchline ban.
- He has yet to take charge of a competitive match as Rangers manager.
- His previous clubs include St Johnstone, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Hearts.
Derek McInnes has not even taken charge of a competitive match as Rangers manager, yet he already finds himself facing possible disciplinary action and the prospect of an SFA ban over comments made about Celtic.
It is hardly the start Rangers would have envisaged.
On the night in question, McInnes had just overseen Hearts’ own match. Yet, rather than concentrating on his team’s performance and the challenges directly in front of him, his attention immediately turned to events at Fir Park, where Celtic had been awarded a controversial late penalty against Motherwell.
Describing the decision as “disgusting”, McInnes suggested that people simply expect such calls to go Celtic’s way. Those remarks have now resulted in a Notice of Complaint from the Scottish FA and could yet lead to sanctions or a touchline ban.
For Rangers supporters, it should be a concern.
The Ibrox job demands absolute focus. Rangers require rebuilding, stability and a manager entirely consumed by the task of closing the gap on Celtic. Instead, before a ball has been kicked in anger, McInnes finds himself embroiled in controversy over comments about his future club’s fiercest rivals.
The episode only reinforces a perception that has followed him throughout much of his managerial career. Too often, McInnes appears emotionally invested in Celtic’s fortunes, reacting to events involving the champions with a level of frustration that can sometimes overshadow matters closer to home.
That is a dangerous trait for any Rangers manager.
History also provides little comfort. Across spells with St Johnstone, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Hearts, McInnes’ record against Celtic has been poor. He has repeatedly come up short against the Scottish champions and has rarely found a sustained formula for success against them.
Now, he arrives at Ibrox carrying the baggage of a possible ban and questions over his judgment.
Rangers supporters will not be interested in grievances, controversies or endless debates about refereeing decisions. They will judge him on trophies, performances and victories over Celtic.
If McInnes allows emotion and an apparent fixation on Celtic to dominate his thinking, his reign risks being consumed by the club he is trying to catch rather than the one he is supposed to be rebuilding.
And that would be an ominous way to begin life as Rangers manager.
