Rangers to fight three-match touchline ban for new boss McInnes

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Rangers intend to challenge the three-match touchline ban handed to their new manager Derek McInnes over comments he made about officials while in charge of Hearts.

While his previous club were battling Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title last season, McInnes reacted furiously to the Hoops being awarded a controversial last-gasp penalty against Motherwell, which allowed them to win 3-2 and take the title race to the final day, when they pipped their challengers with a 3-1 head-to-head victory.

McInnes described that decision as “disgusting”, and on Wednesday, the Scottish Football Association issued him with a four-match ban, with one game being suspended.

As it stands, that suspension will apply for Rangers’ first three domestic games of 2026-27, but the Glasgow giants intend to appeal the ruling.

They said in a statement: “We do not believe Derek’s view on a match-defining decision amounted to an attack on the competence or integrity of match officials.

“His comments were directed at the decision, rather than representing any broader criticism of officials. Considered fairly and in context, Derek’s comments did not allege bias, incompetence or dishonesty.

“Similar language has previously been used in Scottish football by others with lesser disciplinary action or without any action at all, raising legitimate questions about consistency, precedent and the application of the rules.

“Although the comments pre-dated Derek’s appointment, the club believes the issue at stake is important and must be challenged.”

Rangers’ statement was released shortly before they faced French outfit Saint-Etienne in their first pre-season friendly of the summer at Ibrox.

 “I’m pleased we’ve won the game, and we have shown the competitive side of the team. I think it’s important we take the good from the game, and there is plenty of good.”

 Derek McInnes spoke to @RangersTV after tonight’s pre-season win over AS Saint-Étienne. pic.twitter.com/7oh1mOZwim

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) July 22, 2026

Lawrence Shankland and Thelo Aasgaard both scored penalties in a 2-1 win for the Scottish side, who will host West Ham next weekend before taking on Dundee United in their Premiership opener on July 31.

“I think we showed the competitive side of the team, which pleases me,” McInnes said after full-time. “We were up against a smooth, technical side.

“There was no real surprise when they equalised, but at half-time, we addressed what we needed to address and then we were far more competitive. I thought their influence on the game was a little bit less, I thought we had more control without being expansive.”

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