Derek McInnes could now miss Rangers' season opener as Scottish FA bring down hammer

Derek McInnes and Rangers will be desperately keeping an eye on new potential punishments from the Scottish FA.

The Scottish manager was charged with breaking rule 72 of the disciplinary guidelines after criticising the last-gasp penalty decision in Celtic's 3-2 win at Motherwell last season.

In the penultimate game of the season, Kelechi Iheanacho won them three crucial points after scoring from the spot, as Martin O'Neill's side went on to beat Hearts to win the title on the final day.

McInnes, who moved to Ibrox from Tynecastle Park in the summer, wasn't happy with the officiating at Fir Park at the time, with that ludicrous handball call living long in the memory.

The Gers face Dundee United in their season opener at Tannadice Park on 31 July, but the 55-year-old head coach may not be on the sidelines.

With the SFA bringing down the hammer on Motherwell's Elliot Watt, McInnes' prospects don't look great.

What did Elliot Watt and Derek McInnes say about Celtic penalty?

At Fir Park on 13 May, with the scores level, VAR advised John Beaton to review a potential handball by Sam Nicholson, and Celtic were subsequently awarded a penalty, which was scored in the 99th minute.

There was plenty of criticism about the decision, with Watt taking to social media and calling it the "worst VAR decision in history".

As shared by Sky Sports on 16 July, the SFA have now handed the 26-year-old midfielder a four-match ban.

Motherwell have also been £5,000 for their own social media post and it remains to be seen what the future holds for McInnes.

The Scottish Sun are now reporting that McInnes was also set to learn the result of the complaint against him, but the hearing has now been delayed to 22 July.

On the penalty, the former Hearts boss said, "When you heard Celtic got a 96th minute penalty that was going to VAR and they were checking it, you just assume what's happened is they get the penalty.

"Having seen it again, it's disgusting. It is. I don't think it's a penalty kick. But we're up against it. We're up against everybody."

Why Derek McInnes is already under pressure at Rangers

Rangers made a swift call to replace Danny Rohl with McInnes when the opportunity arose.

It's clear that the Gers believe the Scottish manager is the right person to lead them back to success.

Andrew Cavenagh was willing to back the German manager at Ibrox and has doubled down on that transfer promise, even with the change in head coach.

The Light Blues have made six signings so far this summer, with more to follow.

McInnes has vast experience of Scottish football and fans in G51 won't be expected to offer him time to succeed.

The Ibrox faithful now want instant results and the faith shown in the ex-Hearts boss must yield immediate results.

Even with a possible ban to start the season, it's win or nothing.