Why Barry Ferguson fears for Scottish football amid 'ridiculous' Derek McInnes call

Barry Ferguson fears for the way Scottish football is heading after Rangers boss Derek McInnes' punishment this week.

McInnes was handed a four-match touchline ban by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) for comments made while Hearts manager.

The Scotsman hit out at a "disgusting" decision to award Celtic a late penalty in May, as Hearts went on to narrowly miss out on the title.

McInnes will be banned from the touchline for his first three Scottish Premiership fixtures as Rangers boss, with the other suspended.

Rangers have confirmed an appeal has been lodged, with McInnes insisting the punishment does not fit the crime.

Former Gers captain and caretaker boss Ferguson hopes the governing body now sees sense.

'Rangers are right to appeal Derek McInnes ban'

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

Ibrox News previously covered how McInnes' SFA hearing was delayed by a week.

Now the outcome is known, Ferguson is not happy that managers - and indeed players - are having to be so careful about what they say.

"Rangers did the right thing when it was announced on Wednesday that they will be fighting to overturn a four game dugout ban for Derek McInnes," Ferguson wrote in his Daily Record column on Friday.

"Not just for themselves and for their new boss. But for every manager and every player in the rest of Scottish football.

"Because what will the game in this country become if we reach a point where everyone in it is too scared to open their mouths or to express an honestly held opinion?"

Ferguson went on to say: "Think about this for a second. Is that what we want our game to become? A place where people are denied the right to express their own emotions and thoughts?

"A place where they are encouraged by the authorities to be less than honest? Or maybe a sport where the main characters - be they managers or players - refuse to give any interviews at all?

"Because if this ridiculous four game ban is not booted into touch then that’s exactly what is likely to happen."

Ferguson has made his thoughts very clear, and the entire Rangers fanbase will agree.

But it may well be that McInnes could have been handed an even lengthier suspension.

Why McInnes' ban could have been even longer

Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News after the SFA's ruling was made, former FIFA referee Keith Hackett stated McInnes may have got off lightly.

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

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

Hackett sees this from a different viewpoint, of course, having been an official over multiple decades.

He was also head of the PGMOL in England, so he would rule over cases such as this regularly.

In truth, maybe it isn't as black and white as made out. These differing views highlight exactly that.

Managers do need to be careful what they say, but expressing an opinion in itself should not be outlawed.

The question, really, is whether the word "disgusting" was really enough to constitute a three - potentially four - game ban?

Rangers will now await an answer to their appeal, but it really could go either way.