Celtic Question McInnes Cannot Escape

Derek McInnes’ Celtic complaints increasingly suggest a man carrying an enormous chip on his shoulder.

Following his Scottish FA punishment, the Rangers manager used an interview with The Scottish Sun to portray himself as the victim of an unfair system. However, his carefully constructed defence fails to disguise the bitterness that has surrounded his comments from the beginning.

MCINNES CLAIMS IT WAS NEVER PERSONAL

McInnes insisted: “I’ve never wanted to make it personal.”

That sounds reasonable until you examine what he originally said. McInnes did not simply disagree with the decision to award Celtic a late penalty against Motherwell. He called it “disgusting” during an emotional attack that appeared to question how such a pivotal decision could favour Celtic.

He now says: “For me, the decision was wrong.”

That is a far more measured statement. Had he stopped there initially, he may not have faced punishment. Instead, McInnes chose inflammatory language while Hearts were battling Celtic for the title. His frustration was understandable. His reaction was not.

THE VICTIM NARRATIVE DOES NOT ADD UP

McInnes also claimed: “At no point was I wanting to inflame the situation.”

Yet calling a match-defining decision “disgusting” during a tense title race was always likely to inflame matters. Managers with 19 years of experience understand the power of their words.

He added: “There was a lot of emotion but I felt as though what I said was controlled.”

That defence is difficult to accept. Controlled criticism focuses on why a decision was wrong. It does not use language that encourages supporters to believe something improper has taken place.

McInnes then warned that managers must not be forced to “check themselves” before answering questions. In reality, checking yourself is part of being a senior football manager. Freedom to criticise officials does not mean freedom from consequences.

THE BILLY BOYS FOOTAGE CANNOT BE IGNORED

There is also an uncomfortable contradiction surrounding McInnes’ attempts to occupy the moral high ground.

Footage from his Rangers playing days shows McInnes singing “The Billy Boys” alongside former teammates at a supporters’ event. The song’s sectarian wording has made it one of the most toxic chants associated with Scottish football.

That footage does not remove his right to discuss refereeing. However, it makes his attempt to present himself as a restrained and responsible voice far less convincing.

McInnes appears willing to demand tolerance for his own words while portraying himself as the latest victim whenever Celtic become involved.

The punishment can be debated. The chip on his shoulder cannot. McInnes sounds less like a manager defending honest criticism and more like someone still furious that Celtic won a title he believed Hearts deserved.