McInnes set to be in Rangers dugout for season opener despite SFA ban

Derek McInnes is set to be in the dugout for his first match as Rangers manager on Friday night at Dundee United, live on Sky Sports.

That's despite being issued with a four-match ban last week following comments made in May when he was Hearts boss.

At the time, the 55-year-old described the decision to award Celtic a late match-winning penalty at Motherwell as "disgusting" as the title race took another twist.

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Rangers confirmed they were set to appeal the ban and it is understood that will be lodged Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest, ahead of Friday's deadline.

That will allow him to take to the dugout until a hearing takes place.

McInnes was found guilty of breaching disciplinary rule 72, which forbids people from publicly criticising decisions and/or criticising the performance of any match officials in such a way as to indicate bias or incompetence.

He was due to be banned for his first three matches, with the other game suspended until the end of the campaign unless he breached the regulations again over the coming campaign.

He told Sky Sports last weekend he was "very disappointed" by the verdict and "didn't think the punishment fitted the crime".

Rangers: McInnes ban must be challenged

Rangers released a statement last week confirming they will appeal the sanction imposed on McInnes.

In that, they said "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.

"His concerns were widely shared by other commentators across the UK. The Scottish FA's independent Key Match Incident Panel subsequently concluded that the referee's original decision was correct and that VAR should not have intervened.

"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.

"Respect for officials and legitimate scrutiny are not competing principles.

"Managers, players and clubs must be able to speak honestly about major decisions if Scottish football is serious about raising standards and maintaining trust.

"Scrutiny, transparency and accountability should be seen as part of improving standards, not as a threat to them."

Rangers' opening 2026/27 Scottish Premiership fixtures

July

31: Dundee United (a) - 8pm, live on Sky Sports

August

9: Hibernian (h) - 4pm

22: St Mirren (h) - 3pm

29: Aberdeen (a) - 3pm

September

2: Falkirk (a) - 7.45pm

5: Motherwell (h) - 3pm

20: Celtic (a) - 12pm, live on Sky Sports

Click here for all of Rangers' Premiership fixtures.