Derek McInnes has spoken out regarding his first-half booking following a fiery touchline confrontation during Rangers’ narrow 1-0 victory over Celtic at Celtic Park.

​The drama unfolded in the technical area as tensions boiled over early in the derby clash. Referee John Beaton stepped in to issue yellow cards to both the Rangers manager and Celtic coach Mark Fotheringham after an intense verbal spat on the sidelines.

​Television footage showed McInnes passionately remonstrating with the fourth official over an incident on the pitch. While McInnes was gesturing and making his feelings known, Fotheringham became entangled in the situation, sparking an angry exchange between the opposing benches. The disagreement quickly escalated into a full-scale shouting match as both figures traded barbs within feet of each other.

​The confrontation required outside intervention to prevent further escalation. Martin O’Neill was seen stepping into the fray, actively trying to separate the parties and guide Fotheringham away from the hostile interaction. Despite efforts to diffuse the argument, the war of words persisted until match officials restored order and Beaton reached for his pocket to discipline both men.

​Addressing the controversy during his post-match press duties, McInnes struck a candid and slightly wry tone when asked about the referee’s decision to sanction him. The Rangers boss felt somewhat outnumbered during the sideline commotion, noting that the discipline handed out did not reflect the balance of bodies involved in the dispute.

​McInnes remarked that the situation was essentially three against one, yet only two bookings were delivered by the referee. He explained that his primary motivation was merely standing up for his players and protecting his team’s interests during a high-stakes encounter.

​The touchline flashpoint proved to be one of the afternoon’s major talking points, reflecting the ferocious atmosphere typical of Glasgow derbies. While the specific incident that triggered McInnes’ initial protest remained ambiguous on the broadcast, the raw emotion on display energized the fixture.

​Ultimately, McInnes and his side had the final say where it counted most. Rangers managed to withstand the pressure and secure a vital 1-0 win on away soil, leaving McInnes able to reflect on the combustible touchline drama with three crucial points safely secured. The victory capped off a chaotic afternoon where composure was tested on the pitch and in the dugout alike.