Derek McInnes is preparing to use evidence of Celtic referee bias as he faces an SFA disciplinary hearing next week, following Elliot Watt's four-game ban for criticising officials over a controversial penalty award at Fir Park last season.
Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt was handed a four-game suspension and the club fined for their social media post on the incident, sparking outrage among fans who believe double standards are at play.
Hotline Callers Demand Consistency
Paul McCormack from Coatbridge said: "So first offender Elliot Watt gets a four game ban for criticising the officials in public after the penalty award to Celtic at Fir Park. Third-time offender Derek McInnes is in front of the panel next week on the same charge for his take on the same incident. Surely the same ban will be imposed on him, or more, given his previous breaches of rules."
Scott Gowers from Edinburgh added: "It looks like some managers may face bans for comments made regarding poor officiating decisions towards the end of last season. It will be very interesting to see if one or both the Old Firm bosses will receive bans as McInnes rightly made comments regarding Celtic's penalty against Motherwell whilst in charge of Hearts, and Martin O'Neill made comments in successive weeks about officials in many people's opinion to gain the sympathy vote. Let's all wait and see who the SFA punish if either."
Celtic Fans Frustrated Over Transfers
Meanwhile, Celtic fans are losing patience over the lack of incomings ahead of today's friendly with Middlesbrough. Paul Price from Glasgow said: "I have supported Dermot Desmond in seasons gone by. Now I must question why this one man show is dragging the Celtic faithful into the mire. We must have change, and someone with a vision on how to evolve our club in the years to come. We need another Fergus McCann."
Stephen Mulhern from Dumbarton added: "I used to look forward immensely to Celtic's pre-season matches to see how our new signings are settling in. But with only Camilo Duran to get excited about it's nothing short of a disgrace. Michael Nicholson is embarrassing himself commenting on Celtic struggling to compete with Championship clubs on the transfer front; it's ironic that leading Celtic target from last season David Sterlec will spearhead Middlesbrough's attack at the weekend."
Rangers Strengthen with New Signing
Rangers are set for another new arrival in Vamp Dragojevic, and Robert Livingstone from Palm Beach said: "McInnes nicely building a strong side for a huge title challenge. Dragojevic looks a good one from Partizan, a big, strong, hard-tackling central defender; it gives you more strength in defence. Not often you see the signing of three former club captains—Shankland, Neil, and now Dragojevic - it can only be good for the club."
But Kevin Wark via email hit back: "Here we go with comments saying McInnes will bring title belief to the Rangers. This is based on Hearts having the 'cojones' last season. Did they, aye? Only one team had the 'cojones' guys, and it wasn't Hearts or Rangers. Do you ever get fed up regurgitating, in some form, the same old baseless bravado every pre-season?"
