Rangers contacted SFA over Mika Baur challenge, says Derek McInnes
Last updated 18th Sep 2026
Derek McInnes revealed Rangers have been in touch with the Scottish Football Association following last week’s challenge by Celtic midfielder Mika Baur on Ryan Naderi which has left the striker a doubt for the rematch at Parkhead.
In the 64th minute of the 3-0 Premier Sports Cup quarter-final win against the Hoops at Ibrox last Sunday, Baur was awarded a foul by referee Nick Walsh following a heavy tackle on the Light Blues forward whose ankle was left in a “mess”.
The Rangers boss believes the tackle should have been looked at again by Walsh and ahead of Sunday’s William Hill Premiership game against Martin O’Neill’s men, McInnes told a press conference that Ibrox chief executive Jim Gillespie was moved to contact the SFA and its head of referee operations, Willie Collum.
“Well, I haven’t (sought an explanation), but the club has. Jim Gillespie spoke to Willie Collum and the SFA about it,” said McInnes, who has a doubt over an unnamed player, while left-back Tuur Rommens has returned to training after a lengthy spell out with a with a groin injury
“I’m really not happy with the challenge. I’m not going to get caught up in referee chat, but I’m surprised that the referee wasn’t asked to look at that.
“I find it strange that he wasn’t and Ryan’s ankle is a mess, it was a mess. It was a poor challenge.
“Sometimes these challenges can happen, but it didn’t look great, to be honest.
“And Ryan is one of two players who’s a wee bit of a doubt for the game on Sunday.
“But I don’t want to get bogged down in referee chat to be honest.”
Naderi was key to Rangers’ convincing win over their city rivals but if he does not make it it will mean he has joined Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti on the sidelines, leaving Kevin Kelsy and Bojan Miovski as the only two recognised strikers.
McInnes, whose side are five points behind Celtic, said: “Well, we don’t really have another like-for-like, but we’ll give him every chance.
“We’ve had to cope without key players before. I’m hoping he can make it, but if he doesn’t, it will be somebody else’s opportunity.”
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