Derek McInnes could miss Rangers’ Premier Sports Cup tie against Celtic if the Scottish FA rejects his appeal against a touchline ban.
Rangers manager Derek McInnes risks missing his first Old Firm match from the dugout after the Scottish FA set 31 August for his appeal hearing. The Ibrox club challenged a four-match touchline suspension imposed in July, comprising three games with immediate effect and a fourth held over until the end of 2026/27.
The sanction has been paused during the appeal process, allowing McInnes to continue working from the technical area across Rangers’ opening fixtures. That postponement will also allow him to lead Rangers at Aberdeen on 30 August, one day before the tribunal considers the case.
However, an unsuccessful appeal would place the club’s next three domestic games directly in the suspension window. Likewise, Falkirk away on 2 September, Motherwell at Ibrox on 5 September and Celtic at home eight days later might be played in the absence of the Scotsman on the touchline.
The Gers welcome Celtic to Ibrox for a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final on Sunday, 13th September. The game is scheduled for a noon kick-off and will be McInnes' first competitive meeting with Celtic as Rangers manager.
The punishment also arrived due to the manager's comments following a Celtic game during his time with Hearts. The Bhoys were awarded a stoppage-time penalty against Motherwell, which the 55-year-old described as "actually quite disgusting".
McInnes was found to have breached Disciplinary Rule 72 by the Scottish FA, which forbids public criticism of match officials hinting at bias or incompetence. The incident occurred in May, but joining Rangers in June meant that the Light Blues would see the punishment carried out.
The Gers appealed the decision, subsequently claiming that their manager had in no way questioned the integrity or competence of the officials. Instead, the match-defining decision was brought to light by McInnes.
The club also talked about the Key Match Incident Panel's conclusion that the on-field decision was indeed correct and that a VAR intervention wasn't required. The Light Blues nevertheless will be hoping for the appeal to go their way, as McInnes wouldn't have to serve any time then.
However, if the Scottish FA upholds their position, the Rangers manager will have to delegate touchline responsibilities for two league games and a knockout Old Firm tie. Nevertheless, McInnes will have the opportunity to manage the reverse fixture at Celtic Park, facing the club on their home ground for the first time as a Rangers manager.
All in all, the decision remains uncertain, and McInnes has a guillotine waiting for the signal to strike. It is indeed better if the Light Blues prepare as if their manager will be absent for a pretty important stretch.
