Ex-PGMOL chief shares SFA considerations as Derek McInnes hit with Rangers ban

Derek McInnes will begin his life as Rangers' manager by serving a touchline ban.

McInnes was issued with a notice of complaint for allegedly breaking rule 72 of the SFA's guidelines.

It came after the ex-Hearts boss branded a penalty handed to Celtic against Motherwell last season as "disgusting".

Now, the SFA have announced that McInnes has received a four-game touchline ban, with one suspended.

And as Rangers prepare to take on Saint-Etienne on Wednesday, all the talk is about the decision-makers at Hampden Park.

And sharing his thoughts exclusively to Ibrox News, is former Premier League referee Keith Hackett .

Keith Hackett's reaction to Derek McInnes' ban

Ibrox News covered how McInnes' hearing was actually delayed until 22 July, with it meant to take place last week.

The Scottish Sun has since added that the Rangers manager faced the panel personally as he defended his name.

Ex-PGMOL general manager Hackett believes that after McInnes' efforts were in vain, the new Gers boss can think himself lucky to have not received a longer a ban.

"McInnes was stuck between a rock and a hard place having witnessed a poor decision that impacted on him and his team and club's season," said Hackett.

"The SFA have to consider the image of the game and protect the match officials.

"Whilst McInnes will be disappointed with the sanction, it could have been bigger."

What games will Derek McInnes miss at Rangers?

With the season opener only 10 days away, the Scottish Premiership is approaching very quickly.

Rangers start the season away at Dundee United on 31 July, with the Friday showdown kickstarting it all.

McInnes would miss that, as well as home games against Hibernian and St Mirren.

If he serves the whole four-game ban, it would also see the Scotsman miss out on a trip to former club Aberdeen at the end of August.

Sandwiched between those fixtures are the Europa League qualifiers against Jagiellonia Białystok.

McInnes would be expected in the dugout for those, regardless of what happens with the Scottish FA.

Either way, it's a disgrace that he's been banned for at least three games, all for commenting on one incident in the heat of the moment.

It feels like the Scottish FA are only protecting themselves from yet another refereeing shocker, something that is happening far too often in our game.