Derek McInnes will arrive at Rangers with one of last season’s Celtic rows still hanging over him.
Herald journalist Stephen McGowan reports that the new Ibrox manager has been hit with an SFA Notice of Complaint over comments he made while he was still Hearts boss, following Celtic’s late penalty against Motherwell during the title run-in.
It was one of the big flashpoints of the closing weeks of the season. Celtic were awarded a 96th-minute spot kick at Fir Park after a VAR check, and the reaction was fierce. McInnes, with Hearts trying to keep the pressure on Celtic at the top of the table, made his feelings clear on Sky Sports.
He said: “When you heard Celtic got a 96th minute penalty that was going to VAR and they were checking it, you just assume what’s happened is they get the penalty.
“Having seen it again, it’s disgusting. It is.
“I don’t think it’s a penalty kick.
“But we’re up against it. We’re up against everybody.”
Those comments have now brought him an SFA charge, with a disciplinary hearing set for July 16.
Motherwell and midfielder Elliott Watt have also been cited over posts made after the same decision. McInnes commented when Hearts manager. However, he will answer for it as Rangers manager.
The penalty debate ran for weeks, but the reaction around it became just as big a story. Referee John Beaton’s contact details were posted online after the decision, and the fallout turned into one of the ugliest parts of the season’s final stretch.
Celtic still won the league. That is the bit that matters. The anger, statements and complaints did not stop Martin O’Neill’s side getting over the line.
McInnes’ comments now read like a snapshot of the pressure Celtic put on their rivals in that run-in. At Hearts, he could frame it as frustration in a title race. At Rangers, the same kind of language will be judged differently.
That is why this lands at an awkward time for him. He is trying to make his first impression across the city, but one of his final Celtic complaints from last season has followed him through the door.
The SFA charge will not define his Rangers start, but it adds an early edge. McInnes is now in a job where finishing behind Celtic will not be talked up as a near miss. It will be treated as failure.
this does not go far enough … McInnes applauding the Celtic penalty on the final day should be added to an ever growing list. He was 90% responsible for the ill feeling towards Hearts… He along with the Hearts directors have to be charged for their shameful behaviour, letters suggesting they left Parkhead early in fear of their safety and accusations of assault which never existed…Should the SFA take no action …we must