Rangers manager Derek McInnes will begin the upcoming Scottish Premiership season suspended from the touchline after receiving a four-match ban for comments he made about a controversial penalty awarded to Celtic last season. The suspension, announced by the Scottish Football Association (SFA), will see McInnes start the campaign watching from the stands, with one of the four matches suspended until the end of the season.

The penalty in question was awarded to Celtic during stoppage time of their match against Motherwell, a decision that influenced the title race in the final stages of the 2025-26 season. At the time, McInnes was managing Hearts and publicly criticized the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) call that led to the penalty, describing it as “disgusting.” This penalty allowed Celtic’s Kelechi Iheanacho to score a late goal, securing a 3-2 victory that played a key role in Celtic ultimately retaining the league title.

Following his remarks, McInnes was charged with a breach of rule 72 under the SFA disciplinary guidelines, which regulates conduct concerning comments about officials or decisions. After issuing a formal Notice of Complaint, the SFA concluded that his remarks warranted the four-match ban.

McInnes’s suspension includes several home matches for Rangers, including games against Hibernian and St Mirren. Rangers are set to open their league campaign away to Dundee United next Friday, meaning McInnes will be absent from the technical area for that match.

Supporters and football officials have expressed differing views on the incident. Some argue that McInnes’s comments were a legitimate expression of frustration over a pivotal call, while others maintain that public criticism of refereeing decisions undermines the integrity of the game and the authority of officiating bodies.

The penalty awarded to Celtic was notable not only for its timing but also for the intervention of VAR official Andrew Dallas and referee John Beaton during stoppage time at Fir Park. This decision shifted the conditions of the title race, which saw Celtic ultimately retain the Scottish Premiership by a narrow margin.

McInnes’s ban underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding the use of VAR and the handling of public commentary by club officials on referee decisions. As the new season prepares to get underway, the consequences of last season’s contentious moments continue to influence the landscape of Scottish football.