Derek McInnes Handed Touchline Ban Following Referee Criticism
Rangers manager Derek McInnes has received a three-match domestic touchline ban following critical comments regarding the penalty awarded to Celtic against Motherwell. McInnes used the word “disgusting” to describe referee John Beaton’s decision to penalise Sam Nicholson for a handball, a call made following advice from video assistant Andrew Dallas during the closing stages of Celtic’s 3-2 victory. A fourth match suspension has also been handed down. However, this will remain suspended and only activated if McInnes breaches the same disciplinary rule again before the conclusion of the new season. As a result, the 55-year-old will watch from the stands for Rangers’ season opener away at Dundee United, the Premiership fixture against Hibernian at Ibrox, and their League Cup second-round tie on the weekend of August 15/16. At the time of the incident, McInnes’ former club, Hearts, were locked in a tense Scottish Premiership title race with Celtic, which was ultimately decided on the final day of the campaign at their rivals’ home ground. The sanction comes just a week after former Motherwell player Elliot Watt was issued a four-match ban by the Scottish FA. Watt had taken to social media to label the same penalty decision the “worst VAR decision in history.” Motherwell were also hit with a £5,000 fine over a post published on their official social media channels following the match. Both McInnes and Watt were charged with breaching disciplinary rule 72, which strictly forbids any public criticism of match officials that implies “bias or incompetence” or calls their character into question.
Will Ferry and James Penrice Both on the Celtic Radar as Possible Backup
Dundee United star Will Ferry is on the transfer radar of Celtic after an impressive season at Tannadice, as is James Penrice. Ferry is now on the shortlist at Parkhead alongside Penrice as Martin O’Neill looks for cover for current Celtic man Kieran Tierney. The Dundee United man currently has interest from abroad, with a move to the Czech Republic having been turned down by Ferry. A fee of around £1.7 million was accepted by the Tannadice outfit, but Ferry didn’t seem keen on the switch. Blackburn Rovers are also keen. Ferry has made over 80 appearances in tangerine after joining from Cheltenham Town and has been a standout player for the Tannadice squad, with a big-money move looking very likely for the 25-year-old. For Penrice, however, there is plenty of competition, as EFL trio Blackburn Rovers, Norwich City, and Middlesbrough are all said to be interested in the AEK Athens full-back. Celtic’s fierce rivals Rangers are also reported to be tracking the former Hearts man as they look to add extra depth. Penrice began his career in Glasgow with Partick Thistle, which included loan spells with East Fife and Livingston, before joining the Lothian side again in 2021. The full-back became a key player for Livingston, making 96 appearances before joining Hearts, where he impressed highly, earning him a move to Greece. Penrice once again impressed, adding European football to his name after an impressive run in the Conference League, eventually bowing out to finalists Rayo Vallecano 4–3 on aggregate. Celtic were close to getting Sarachi back to Parkhead after a successful loan spell in Glasgow last campaign, but any return to the east end of Glasgow broke down, with Celtic now set to look elsewhere. Celtic fans have been quick to criticise the board for the lack of transfer business this season, with just the one signing of Duran coming in from Qarabag to bolster the attack. Celtic are also set to receive a massive blow, with star man Daizen Maeda set to make a Premier League switch. New boys Ipswich Town are set to sign the Japan international for £10 million, which Celtic will certainly be disappointed with, as many believe the price tag is far too low.
Hearts Suffer Heavy Defeat in Champions League Opener
Hearts Suffer Heavy Defeat in Champions League Opener Wouter Vrancken’s side did not get the start they were hoping for in their Champions League campaign, falling to a 4-0 defeat away to Sturm Graz — a scoreline that will be difficult to overturn in the second leg. The Austrian side struck early, taking the lead after just four minutes. A long throw into the box from Jeyland Mitchell found Jon Gorenc Stankovic, who headed the ball into the top corner. There were no further goals before the break, and Hearts looked lively going forward. Both Landry Kabore and Alexandros Kyziridis had good chances but were unable to find the net. Sturm Graz made a change at the start of the second half, replacing Simon Seidl with Otar Kiteshvili. The substitution paid off almost immediately, with Kiteshvili teeing up Mitchell for the home side’s second goal in the 50th minute. What followed was a devastating spell for Hearts, as Sturm Graz scored three goals in the space of nine minutes. Seventeen-year-old Luca Weinhandl added the third before Jürgen Heil completed the rout with the fourth. The return leg takes place at Tynecastle next Tuesday, where Hearts will look to claw back the deficit. Should Hearts overturn the tie, they will face either Fenerbahçe or Górnik Zabrze in the next round. If they lose, they will drop into the Europa League third qualifying round, where they would face either St Gallen or Benfica.