Raging Rangers boss Derek McInnes has warned Hampden beaks they risk selling Scottish football short by forcing bosses to gag themselves.
The new Ibrox gaffer hit out after being hammered by the SFA for his comments while in the Hearts hot seat last season.
McInnes has been hit with an immediate three-game ban for his “disgusting” blast over Celtic’s controversial penalty award at Fir Park in the penultimate clash of the campaign.
Rangers insist they’ll appeal but as things stand McInnes will be left stuck in the stands when his new team kick-off the season at Dundee United a week on Friday.
McInnes defends penalty rant
McInnes insists he meant no malice when he hit out at the controversial handball given by referee John Beaton. And he fears the decision may lead to managers keeping schtum on major talking points instead of giving their honest opinions.
He said: “Obviously I had my hearing this afternoon and I was pleased to put my points across, but I don’t agree with it and the club don’t agree with it. I’m glad that we’re going to appeal against that, but, with it being an appeal process, I’m reluctant to say any more on that.”
“I’ve been a manager for 19 years now and part of my job is, you know you’re going to be asked on contentious decisions and all the rest of it. I’ve never wanted to make it personal. For me, the decision was wrong. I feel as though I made my points at the hearing today.”
“I do think, in general, broadcasters pay a lot of money to hear managers’ reactions. We’ve got to be careful that we don’t have managers and players who have to be really sure of themselves and check themselves before answering a question. At no point was I wanting to inflame the situation.”
“The situation was already being discussed before I did my press. It was quite a big moment in the season and there was a lot of emotion, but I felt as though what I said was controlled, and that’s what the appeal process will now discuss and consider.”
Rangers win pre-season friendly
McInnes was speaking after watching his side step up their pre-season prep work with a 2-1 win over French side St Etienne.
Lawrence Shankland fulfilled his boyhood ambition by scoring for his heroes a penalty after just four minutes. Thelo Aasgaard wrapped up the win when he also tucked home from the spot late on.
But there were clear signs that Gers lack attacking guile in the final third.
McInnes, though, hopes to rectify that after confirming Gers are close to adding three new faces - including Vanja Dragojevic - ahead of their Tannadice curtain raiser.
Transfer update
He said: “Well, I think the recruitment team have been really aggressive. We’re clear on what we’re trying to do. In terms of the positions we’ve identified, it’s clear to me we need a bit more in wider areas and we could do with another defender in the building.”
“Dujon Sterling had an injection in his ankle on Friday. We were only going to put him on in an emergency today. He’s due to play against West Ham, so we resisted him going on. He will train, he’s training now. We’ll work tomorrow and get himself ready for Sunday. We’re not overly blessed with defenders at the minute.”
“We are looking quite close to completing one or two things. I know I said we’d try to get one or two done for tonight. I think we hit the post with one or two, but we’re still close. I certainly think we’ll be at least two in for Sunday’s game and hopefully another one next week for Dundee United.”
“I think, for us, you want everybody ideally in as quickly as possible. But sometimes you’ve got to be patient as well, you don’t want to blink too early. There might be better options. We’ve tried to cover every eventuality, but I do think there are key positions we could do with in the building now.”
“Normally, when there are good players available, you’re not the only show in town. There are other teams you’re competing against, but the good thing for me is the recruitment team and the board are really supporting us. They’re really aggressive with what we’re doing, at least giving us a chance to get good players here, and hopefully we’ll see that.”
McInnes on Aasgaard
Aasgaard was back in blue after staring for Norway at the World Cup. The former Wigan and Luton ace grabbed headlines with a stunning group-stage strike against France but struggled to show that level of quality during a difficult first season in Glasgow. He looked lively in his half-hour run out against the Ligue 2 side.
Asked if he felt he can get more out the playmaker, McInnes said: “I think I can but also Thelo has got to get that from himself as well. He’s so smooth and he looks every part a footballer, the size, the technique, the speed. We just need to try and get him at his best week in, week out.”
“There’s a few that haven’t, to be honest. I think there are a few players who, from their best performances to their poorest performances, have too big a gap. We need to try and get Thelo and others a wee bit more consistent, but sometimes, being young players and with the size of the club and the demand, you’ve got to work through that.”
“That was the thing that disappointed me in the first half, that we were really quiet as a team and just kind of feeling sorry for ourselves walking in at half-time, and that’s not going to get the job done. We need to make sure that we galvanise each other. Football is not always sunshine and rainbows.”
“Sometimes you’ve got to dig deep and be more consistent. Players like Thelo and others need to fight through that and show their capabilities. Sometimes, in a technical game, these games are a bit easier to show, and other times, when you’re not getting it all your own way, you’re going to have to dig deep.”
“Thelo, without question, has got huge potential and it’s up to us and him to get it out of himself.”
Special moment for McInnes
Leading Rangers out was a special moment for McInnes as he returned to Ibrox 26 years after departing as a player.
He said: “Yeah, it felt nice, I’m not going to lie about that. I’ve thought about it all day. It’s been a bit of an unusual day, because I was involved in my hearing. I’ve thought about that one for a long time. You allow yourself to think about it momentarily, it’s not something you’re completely obsessed with when you’re in the job.”
“I’m more concerned about getting players in and the responsibility I’ve got. I’m fully aware of the weight of this job and how much I want to do well. I’m more thinking about that than having that little moment to myself. But, of course, for myself and my family, it was nice, of course.”
