Derek McInnes last night insisted it is wrong for managers and players to live in fear of being silenced by the SFA after being hit with a four-game ban.

New Rangers boss McInnes has been sanctioned by the governing body over comments he made towards the end of last season.

Whilst in charge of Hearts, McInnes branded the decision to award Celtic a stoppage-time penalty for an alleged handball against Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson as ‘disgusting’.

He also claimed that his team were ‘up against everybody’, given some of the decisions which had gone against them over the final weeks of the season.

McInnes spent yesterday afternoon at an SFA hearing, before eventually being hit with a four-game ban — one of which is suspended.

It was a similar verdict delivered to Elliot Watt, the former Motherwell midfielder who branded the penalty call as ‘the worst VAR decision in history’.

Rangers immediately announced their intention to appeal the decision — and McInnes insisted that managers and players still have a right to express an opinion.

‘I’ve been a manager for 19 years now,’ said the Rangers boss, whose side beat Saint-Etienne 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at Ibrox last night. ‘Part of my job is you know you’re going to be asked about contentious decisions.

‘I’ve never wanted to make it personal. For me, the decision was wrong. I made my points at the appeal today. Broadcasters pay a lot of money to hear managers’ reactions.

‘We’ve got to be careful that we don’t have managers and players who have to be really sure of themselves and check themselves before answering a question.

‘At no point was I wanting to inflame a situation. The situation was already getting discussed before I did my press at the time.

‘It was quite a big moment in the season and there was a lot of emotion, but I felt as though what I said was controlled. That’s what the appeal process will now discuss and consider.

‘I had my hearing this afternoon and I was pleased to put my points across. I don’t agree with it and the club don’t agree with it. I’m glad that we’re going to appeal against that.

‘But with it being an appeal process I’m reluctant and reticent to say any more on that.’

A club statement from the Ibrox club earlier in the day had read: ‘Rangers will appeal the sanction imposed on Derek McInnes by the SFA for comments made last season.

‘We do not believe Derek’s view on a match-defining decision amounted to an attack on the competence or integrity of match officials.

‘His comments were directed at the decision, rather than representing any broader criticism of officials. Considered fairly and in context, Derek’s comments did not allege bias, incompetence or dishonesty.

‘His concerns were widely shared by other commentators across the UK. The SFA’s independent Key Match Incident Panel subsequently concluded that the referee’s original decision was correct and that VAR should not have intervened.

‘Similar language has previously been used in Scottish football by others with lesser disciplinary action or without any action at all, raising legitimate questions about consistency, precedent and the application of the rules.

‘Although the comments pre-dated Derek’s appointment, the club believes the issue at stake is important and must be challenged.

‘Respect for officials and legitimate scrutiny are not competing principles. Managers, players and clubs must be able to speak honestly about major decisions if Scottish football is serious about raising standards and maintaining trust.

‘Scrutiny, transparency and accountability should be seen as part of improving standards, not as a threat to them.’

Rangers host West Ham in another pre-season friendly at Ibrox on Sunday before they begin their Premiership campaign with a trip to Tannadice to face Dundee United next Friday night.

McInnes stated last night that he is hopeful the club could have a further three new signings by that point.

‘The recruitment team have been really aggressive so far,’ he added. ‘I think there could be another two in by Sunday, and hopefully another one next week.’