McInnes on SFA talks, needing 'more' in derby & his Celtic Park return

McInnes confirmed the club have spoken with SFA head of referees Willie Collum about Mika Baur's challenge on Ryan Naderi last weekend that has left the German striker as a doubt for Sunday.

He says: "I'm really not happy with the challenge, but I'm not going to get caught up in referee chat. I'm surprised that the referee wasn't asked to look at that. I find it strange that it wasn't. Ryan's ankle's a mess. It was a mess, it was a poor challenge. Sometimes these challenges can happen, but it didn't look great."

Tuur Rommens trained after injury and may be available. An "unnamed player" is a doubt along with Naderi.

McInnes insists Rangers will need another "big performance" and "that bit more" to overcome Celtic despite comprehensively beating them 3-0 at Ibrox last weekend in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final.

With observers noting McInnes got his tactics right in that win, the Rangers manager is keen to downplay that aspect. He says: "I think sometimes tactics can get a wee bit overplayed. So I do think you normally win games during the individual moments and the performance of players being really high and really strong. You don't win at Celtic Park unless everybody plays well. So we've got to try and bring something similar and look for those improvements again."

He says having no fans at the game can be "overhyped", and so can the negative week Celtic have endured after also losing in the Europa League to Ferencvaros.

He adds: "The game's a game. I think once the ball rolls, it's a game of football that we need to concentrate on the detail."

McInnes "can't wait" for his return to Celtic Park with his previous visit being the final game of last season when Celtic pipped Hearts to the title. He says: "I'm looking forward to it. It's something that I've always wanted to do. it's just all about the game and we'll be really busy with the game and focused on the game to think of anything else."

McInnes insists that despite momentum being with Rangers while Celtic struggle, the narrative can quickly change with Martin O'Neill's side capable of opening an eight-point gap over their rivals.

He explains: "I think you're constantly aware of that at a club like Rangers. You're only one bad result away from getting a belt in the mouth again. And you've got to try and keep those to a minimum, as much as you can. We've worked hard to get to where we are at the minute."