Derek McInnes' four-match ban has been cut to two games, with the other two suspended, after a partial appeal success at the SFA. The Rangers manager will now be in the dugout for the first Old Firm match of the season later this month.
McInnes will serve his suspension by watching this week's games against Falkirk and Motherwell from the stands, following his punishment for comments about the last-gasp Celtic penalty at Motherwell in the penultimate game of last season.
Hotline backlash over ban reduction
The decision sparked a meltdown on the Hotline, with callers accusing the SFA of a cop out. Len Nellany, Wick, said: “Typical cop out by the SFA. Don't give McInnes the four game ban, but let him off for the Celtic game. Cowards. The reason for a four game ban was as a punishment. But Rangers pals in authority won again. Atrocious decision.”
Alan McPherson, Nairn, added: “Surprise, surprise! Derek’s ban is halved by the Strathclyde Football Association. Bowing down to Rangers again. It would never have happened to any other manager outwith Glasgow’s two.”
Raskin future in question
With just two days left of the transfer window, a question mark hangs over Nico Raskin after he was left out of the squads to face Jablonec and Aberdeen, despite McInnes saying there had been no official bids for the Belgian.
Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, said: “Rangers should be worried by no bids for Raskin. There was plenty of hyperbole after his World Cup display, he was going to be a £25 million record transfer. But no bids. So why is McInnes not playing him? It’s strange, especially with the side playing badly. Is it a case they just want shot of him? He does have a troublesome reputation.”
Fans question recruitment and defence
Adam Peters, Bathgate, said: “I would love to ask the Rangers chairman how the recruitment team have brought in 13 players and have made the team weaker than last season? Lewis Ferguson and Josh Mulligan would have made a world of difference to the midfield.”
Jamie Thompson, Glasgow, said: “McInnes should be sorting that defence. Manny Fernandez and that useless Dujon Stirlling. Celtic will destroy that Ranger backline.”
Willie Mercer, Dumfries, was happy after Sunday's win at Aberdeen. He said: “No one would argue that it was a great performance by Rangers at Pittodrie but what it was, was a performance full of grit, desire and commitment. Three ingredients sadly lacking in previous games. It is not rocket science in working out the change in attitude on Sunday, it was simply down to McInnes ditching the sand dancers, feint of heart and lily-llivered from his team and putting out 11 players with the right character for the type of battle that will be faced in the majority of the domestic games to come. This type of attitude-driven performance must become the norm this season and not for this to be a one off.”
Foreign player debate and Messi legacy
Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, said: “The SFPL need to cap the amount of foreigners players clubs are buying as it sends out the wrong message to home grown talent who are not getting a chance. Trying to buy success with these imports does not always work as proved by both the Old Firm. Millions paid for embarrassing results in Europe. Better with home grown players, cheaper and maybe our national team could benefit too.”
Stephen Mulhern emailed: “With Lionel Messi retiring from international football the big debate over who was the greatest footballer ever is now ongoing. Maradona, Pele or Messi? I’d add another to that list - Scotland’s own Jimmy Johnstone who I had the privilege of watching at his peak and for me is right up there with the three mentioned.”
