Tempers flared early during the Scottish Premiership showdown at Celtic Park on Sunday, with Rangers manager Derek McInnes and Celtic coach Mark Fotheringham receiving yellow cards following a heated touchline altercation.

The incident unfolded just minutes into the match, catching players, officials, and fans by surprise. Television cameras captured McInnes looking visibly frustrated over a refereeing decision before words were exchanged with the Celtic coaching staff. The situation quickly escalated into a shouting match within the technical areas, prompting referee John Beaton to halt his focus on the pitch and sprint over to the sideline.

Both McInnes and Fotheringham were immediately booked with yellow cards as they continued to voice their frustrations to the fourth official. The chaos also drew in Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, who stepped in to help defuse the situation and usher Fotheringham back toward his bench.

The early flashpoint added intense drama to an already high stakes Old Firm fixture, setting a fiercely competitive tone for the remainder of the match. While the exact trigger for the argument remains unclear, the swift action from the officiating crew prevented the confrontation from escalating further.