New Rangers boss Derek McInnes has copped a three-match touchline ban following comments he made about Scottish officials.
McInnes was hit with a four-game ban, with one suspended, for criticising the decision to award Celtic a late penalty against Motherwell towards the end of last season.
The new ‘Gers boss was in charge of Hearts at the time, who were locked in a tussle for the Scottish Premiership title with Celtic but ultimately fell short.
Against Motherwell, Celtic were awarded a penalty in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time for a contentious handball, which they ultimately converted to win the game.
What did McInnes say to land him in hot water?
McInnes labelled referee John Beaton’s decision to point to spot, following a recommendation from video assistant Andrew Dallas, as ‘quite disgusting.’
“I shouldn’t be commenting on another game, but having seen that, it feels like us against everybody,” McInnes added.
Had Celtic not beaten Motherwell, Hearts would have won their first Scottish Premiership in 66 years.
Instead, the Hoops’ win over Motherwell had them just one point behind Hearts going into the final day.
As it transpired, Celtic broke Hearts’ spirits when Daizen Maeda gave them a 2-1 lead in the 87th minute before Callum Osmand put the cherry on top in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time to spark a chaotic pitch invasion.
The devastating manner of defeat had Hearts players in tears upon their return from Celtic Park.
Following Hearts’ devastating end to the season, McInnes joined Rangers after predecessor Danny Rohl moved to RB Salzburg.
McInnes’ switch to Rangers reunited him with striker Lawrence Shankland, who had joined the Scottish giants from Hearts only weeks earlier.
The ban means McInnes will be absent from Rangers’ Scottish Premiership season opener away to Dundee United on July 31.
He will also miss Hibernian’s visit to Ibrox on August 9 and Rangers’ second round clash in the Scottish League Cup against a yet-to-be-named opponent over the weekend of August 15-16.
However, McInnes will be available to take charge of Rangers’ Europa League qualifiers against Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok.
McInnes’ side will make the trip to Poland for the first leg of their third qualifying round tie on August 6 before contesting the second leg at Ibrox on August 13.
The 55-year-old’s first competitive match as Rangers boss in a Scottish competition falls on August 22 against St Mirren.
