Derek McInnes, the new Rangers manager, is facing an SFA disciplinary charge for comments made while in charge of Hearts last season, igniting fury among fans who accuse the governing body of double standards.
McInnes Charged for 'Disgusting' Remark
McInnes is set to appear before the SFA's disciplinary panel for describing a refereeing decision as “disgusting” during the run-in to the previous campaign. The charge has drawn sharp criticism from Rangers and Hearts supporters, who point to similar outbursts by Celtic manager Martin O'Neill that went unpunished.
Stuart McLeod emailed: “McInnes is barely through the door at Ibrox and suddenly he faces complaints because he had the audacity to use the big hurty word ‘disgusting’. Welcome back to Ibrox Derek, that target is on your back is only getting bigger now you have changed crests.”
Chris Lowe, Yoker, said: “McInnes cited for telling the truth about just one of the plethora of game changing decisions that gifted Celtic the title. I don’t remember Martin O’Neill getting done for his more a blue card than a red one comment that was a cheap dig at the official involved. Yet more double standards from the CFA.”
Fans Question Timing and Consistency
Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, questioned why the charge was not brought while McInnes was at Hearts: “This is a charge I would totally understand had O'Neill been charged for his many outspoken implications regarding officials towards the end of the season. Why was McInnes not served with this charge whilst he was the Hearts manager? I am seriously asking what is it is that the SFA have against Rangers as there's no denying it seems the SFA can't wait to punish everything Rangers and allow Celtic and their fans to get away with pretty much anything.”
Jamie Thompson, Glasgow, added: “It’s an utter disgrace if McInnes gets banned. It’s VAR and the SFA who are disgusting.”
Celtic's Summer Quiet and Transfer Concerns
Meanwhile, Celtic have been quiet in the transfer market, with Martin Emperor warning: “Celtic got lucky last season thanks to the motivational expertise of O’Neill and his coaching staff. Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate who no longer wish to remain at Parkhead while others like Alistair Johnson, Ben Nygren and Auston Trusty will be the focus of transfer attention thanks to the shop window of the World Cup. They will all have to be replaced with players of similar quality. The club cannot afford another embarrassment like the result against Kairat if they are to avoid becoming a laughing stock.”
Scotland World Cup Hopes and Criticism of Steve Clarke
As Scotland prepare for the World Cup in Brazil, fans have expressed frustration with manager Steve Clarke's tactics. Willie Mercer, Dumfries, said: “We can go through but it will not have been achieved by any great managerial feat by Clarke or quality football by his team, but rather by the change in format. In reality this hollow success, should it happen, should not be greeted by any great fanfare and back slapping of the manager or his players but rather should be viewed and met with the same level of criticism levelled at Clarke’s teams failures in past tournaments, as once again we will have failed to make any footballing impression on a tournament.”
Iain Morrison, Livingston, said: “Clarke needs to look at Cape Verde. A wee dot on World map. They attack from the first minute to the last. What do we do? Defend for the entire game, and hope for a goal. Should never be in the job. His time up years ago.”
Rick Hart emailed: “Clarke is a dinosaur. Team selection rubbish, tactics rubbish, manager rubbish – we deserve better. We have talent and dedicated players and they are being let down by poor decisions. Scotland needs a fresh start, not another four years of this dross.”
Call for Attacking Approach Against Brazil
Alan Clark, Barrhead, endorsed Record Sport's Michael Gannon: “Record Sport’s Michael Gannon couldn’t have put it any better – we need to have a go. Why slither out the World Cup like some hunted species? Give Brazil a surprise and go right at them. If we get thrashed, so be it, but we can hold our heads high, and not try and crawl through the group to be ultimately hammered by Germany. This guy Gannon is always worth listening to…”
