Derek McInnes faces the possibility of watching his first Old Firm match as Rangers manager from the stands after his appeal against a four-game touchline suspension was scheduled for 31 August.
The punishment, which includes one match suspended, dates back to McInnes’ time in charge of Hearts last season. It followed his criticism of a late penalty awarded to Celtic during their 3-2 victory over Motherwell at Fir Park on 13 May.
Kelechi Iheanacho converted the stoppage-time spot-kick after a handball decision, keeping Celtic one point behind Hearts in the title race. Celtic then defeated Hearts in the final-day decider to secure the championship.
Rangers have challenged the disciplinary action, arguing that McInnes’ comments focused on the specific refereeing decision rather than constituting a wider attack on match officials.
The timing of the appeal means McInnes could be absent from the technical area for three important fixtures if the suspension remains in place. Rangers travel to Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership on 2 September, host Motherwell three days later and then welcome Celtic in the League Cup quarter-finals on 13 September.
McInnes has defended his conduct, maintaining that managers must be able to give genuine reactions when questioned about major incidents. He believes his response at the time was directed at the penalty decision and was not intended to target officials personally or escalate tensions.
The controversy began after McInnes, then Hearts manager, reacted to Celtic’s late winner shortly after his own side had beaten Falkirk at Tynecastle. The penalty had been awarded following a VAR review involving Motherwell midfielder Sam Nicholson.
Scottish FA head of refereeing Willie Collum subsequently supported the decision, concluding that Nicholson’s arm was in an unnatural position when the ball made contact and that the incident met the threshold for a handball offence.
The fallout went beyond criticism of the call itself. Referee John Beaton’s personal contact information was later shared online, prompting police surveillance at his home. A teenager was subsequently charged in connection with a data protection offence.
Rangers have framed their appeal as a wider issue involving the balance between respect for match officials and the ability of managers and clubs to publicly scrutinise significant decisions.
The club believes open discussion of refereeing calls should remain part of Scottish football and argues that transparency and accountability can coexist with proper respect for officials.
McInnes will now learn the outcome of his challenge immediately before a demanding run of domestic fixtures, with the prospect of his first Old Firm encounter as Rangers manager potentially taking place without him on the touchline.