Derek McInnes believes he was wrong to react to sectarian abuse from Celtic fans after he was sent off during Aberdeen 's afternoon of Hampden misery.

The Dons boss was taunted with chants of "sad Orange b*****d" during his side's 3-0 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to the Hoops.

McInnes remonstrated with fourth official Nick Walsh, who appeared to then alert Craig Thomson and the ref ordered him to join assistant Tony Docherty, who had earlier been ordered off himself.

Celtic fans continued to direct the bigoted chant at McInnes as he headed for the tunnel and the singing has been included in the match delegate's report.

Derek McInnes is sent to the stands

The Pittodrie gaffer, whose side also had Dom Ball and Lewis Ferguson shown red cards, insists he will accept whatever punishment comes his way - but suggested the chants should see the Celtic fans also come under scrutiny.

McInnes said: "I got sent off because I reacted to the Celtic support.

"I was wrong with my reaction, I'll take my punishment.

"It'll be interested to see if everybody gets punished for it but I accept my part.

"I was wrong to react, I'm in a position where I can't react.

"And that's why I was sent off, maybe the fourth official could give me a warning - who knows?

"But he's obviously deemed it serious enough to bring the referee over and send me off, so I accept that and I'll apologise for it.

"Any punishment coming my way, I'll take it on the chin.

"I've heard that song a hundred times and I've never reacted to it, maybe it's frustration.

"It will be up to the delegate to do their bit as it's in the report which is pleasing and refreshing because it doesn't always get in there when you hear sectarian singing.

"It certainly wasn't in the cup final the last time we were here. That's not my battle or my fight. It's for others to condemn."

Celtic boss Neil Lennon did not hear the chants but insists there's "no place for it" in football.

He said: "I didn't see it, I don't know what he got sent off for. I can't comment.

''But if that is the case then there's no place for it.

"I have the utmost respect for Derek McInnes as a football manager, I view him as a friend. If that's the case then it's very disappointing."

McInnes' dismissal capped a torrid day for his side as goals from James Forrest, Odsonne Edouard and Tom Rogic powered Lennon's side into the Final.


Ball was given a second yellow for careering into Ryan Christie in a sickening collision that left the Celtic man being rushed to hospital.

Ferguson's dismissal was a straight red for a wild challenge on Rogic as the game slipped away from Aberdeen.

Club legend Willie Miller was unimpressed with their indiscipline and said: "You can’t have two players sent off and two from the bench. It’s unacceptable, really."