Derek McInnes is facing a significant challenge as Rangers manager following a hearing date of August 31st for his appeal against a four-match touchline ban, one of which is suspended. The penalty issued in July relates to McInnes’s spell as Hearts boss last season, when he described the awarding of a late penalty to Celtic at Motherwell as “disgusting.” A stoppage-time spot-kick for handball was converted by Kelechi Iheanacho, and Celtic’s 3-2 victory at Fir Park on 13 May kept them one point behind Hearts, who they subsequently beat to the title in a final-day decider. Rangers argued that his remarks were directed at the decision, rather than representing any broader criticism of officials, when announcing their intention to contest the ban. McInnes, who could be in the stand for games with Falkirk, Motherwell, and Celtic, added: “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.” “I’ve been a manager for 19 years and you know you’re going to be asked about contentious decisions and all the rest of it,” he stated. “I’ve never wanted to make it personal. For me, the decision was wrong. I feel as though I made my points at the hearing.”, “I’ve been a manager for 19 years and you know you’re going to be asked about contentious decisions and all the rest of it,” he continued. “I’ve never wanted to make it personal. For me, the decision was wrong. I feel as though I made my points at the hearing.”, “Broadcasters pay a lot of money to hear managers’ reactions. We’ve got to be careful that we don’t have managers and players who have to be really sure of themselves and check themselves before answering a question.”, “At no point was I wanting to inflame a situation. The situation was already being discussed before I did my press. It was quite a big moment in the season and there was a lot of emotion, but I felt as though what I said was controlled.”
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Source: BBC Football
