While today was an excellent one Celtic, their counterparts from Aberdeen could hardly have enjoyed a more torrid time at Hampden Park. Not only did they suffer a heavy 3-0 defeat, but they would also receive four red cards over the course of the 90 minutes.
Players Dominic Ball and Lewis Ferguson would receive their marching orders, but manager Derek McInnes and assistant boss Tony Doherty would also be sent to the stands. McInnes would last the longest of the bunch, getting sent off by the referee in the 74th minute of the game.
A third sending off for Aberdeen...
This time manager Derek McInnes is dismissed to the stands 🔴#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/DQvqsUd4Qn— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) April 14, 2019
McInnes seemed bemused by the situation, and it would soon become clear why. Speaking after the game, the Aberdeen boss said his actions on the sideline were fuelled by sectarian abuse directed at him from a section of the Celtic support.
Derek McInnes on his reaction to sectarian abuse from Celtic fans at Hampden and being sent to the stand. “I was sent off [for my reaction] and I apologise. I shouldn’t react and I’ll take my punishment. But I’ll be interested to see if everybody gets punished for the incident.”
— Graham Spiers (@GrahamSpiers) April 14, 2019
The Herald Scotland are reporting that McInnes was called a a "sad orange b******" by some Celtic fans, sparking his reaction. His reaction was spotted by the fourth official who would go on to alert the referee.
Speaking in his post match press conference, McInnes had this to say about the incident:
I had let it go the first time but I shouldn't react and I'll take my punishment. I was wrong to do so, I should be better than that. It'll be interesting to see if everybody gets punished for the incident but I shouldn't have reacted to it.
I've heard that song a hundred times aimed at me and I've never reacted to it so I think a frustration maybe from the game has played a part in that.
Maybe the fourth official could give us a warning. Who knows? But he's obviously deemed it serious enough to bring the referee over.
I accept that, I'll apologise for that and any punishment going my way, I'll take it on the chin.
