A clearer video has emerged of Derek McInnes storming into the Celtic technical area last Sunday.
After the match, he called Mark Fotheringham an “inexperienced coach”, claiming that he had said something which angered him.
— Nathan (@nathangreennn) January 30, 2026
But, questions are now being asked as to why the Hearts manager wasn’t shown a red card after he stormed Celtic’s technical area.
The footage clearly shows McInnes leaving his designated technical area and moving toward the Celtic bench. He appears animated and angry, advancing directly into the opposition’s dugout space. Assistant manager Mark Fotheringham, standing there, chooses not to engage, instead turning away and remaining calm.
It’s believed something was said from the Celtic bench that triggered McInnes’ reaction, but that doesn’t excuse his decision to invade the opposing team’s technical area, which is clearly outlined as a breach in the IFAB Laws of the Game.
According to IFAB Law 12 and SFA guidelines, coaches and managers are required to remain within their own technical area at all times and to behave in a responsible manner.
Leaving that area to confront the opposition bench or match officials, particularly in an aggressive or provocative way, is considered a sending‑off offence and would normally result in a red card.
In cases where such behaviour is not dealt with by the referee or VAR during the match, the incident can still be reviewed retrospectively by the relevant disciplinary authorities.
There is nothing to suggest that the SFA are investigating this incident.
