Recent history suggests McInnes could be furious over Rangers v Hearts appointment.

Rangers are preparing for a difficult trip to Tynecastle on Wednesday, with Derek McInnes returning to Hearts’ home ground for the first time since leaving the Edinburgh club for Ibrox during the summer. The occasion already carries plenty of intrigue, but the latest Scottish FA announcement regarding the match could add another layer of tension for the Rangers manager.

The fixture promises to be a fiercely contested encounter, with both clubs having plenty at stake in the Scottish Premiership. Rangers currently sit four points ahead of Hearts in second place, while they are also attempting to close the same four-point gap separating them from league leaders Celtic.

For McInnes, therefore, there is little room for frustration or dropped points. However, the appointment of the match officials could give the Rangers boss another reason to be concerned before his return to Tynecastle.

Don Robertson gets the call for Tynecastle

Don Robertson has been selected as the referee for Hearts against Rangers. His appointment is unlikely to generate universal excitement among the Rangers support, given his previous involvement in matches involving McInnes and his teams.

Robertson has already been part of some significant moments involving both clubs. His return to Tynecastle is particularly notable because of his previous association with Hearts during their pursuit of Scottish Premiership success.

Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin will not be involved in the fixture because both players are currently dealing with injuries. As a result, Robertson will avoid facing two of the Hearts players who could otherwise have featured in what is expected to be an intense encounter.

There is also an element of uncertainty surrounding the VAR arrangements. While the main VAR appointment has not been announced, the Scottish FA has confirmed the assistant VAR. That has created some additional curiosity ahead of the match.

McInnes previously voiced his disagreement with the officiating arrangements surrounding Rangers, with several pundits also expressing similar concerns at the time.

Robertson and Rangers have previous

Robertson has already refereed Rangers twice this season, with both matches taking place at Ibrox. One of those games ended in disappointment for the home side when Rangers suffered a 2-1 defeat against Hibernian.

During that match, Robertson awarded Hibernian a penalty after deciding that Vanja Dragojevic had pulled Jason Kerr inside the Rangers penalty area. The decision was viewed by some as soft, and it contributed to the frustration surrounding the contest.

For McInnes, that decision will be particularly memorable because of his previous history with Robertson. The Rangers manager has experienced disagreements with the referee on several occasions throughout his managerial career.

That relationship stretches beyond his current position at Ibrox and includes McInnes’ previous spell in charge of Kilmarnock.

McInnes has clashed with Robertson before

The Rangers manager’s frustration with Robertson is not something that has developed recently. There have been several incidents involving the pair over the years, including during McInnes’ time at Kilmarnock.

One notable example came during a match involving Kilmarnock and Rangers in 2025, when McInnes was unhappy with Robertson’s decisions.

There was also another incident during Kilmarnock’s heavy 5-0 defeat against Celtic in 2024. On that occasion, Robertson subsequently apologised to McInnes over an incident during the match.

Although an apology from a referee may have acknowledged the issue, it did little to change the outcome for McInnes’ team. Kilmarnock had already suffered a heavy defeat by the time the matter was addressed.

A dramatic Tynecastle return

McInnes also had a memorable encounter with Robertson on the final day of last season during Hearts’ defeat against Celtic.

The match descended into controversy after a pitch invasion, with reports claiming that McInnes had wanted the game to be brought to an early conclusion at Celtic Park. The events surrounding that fixture continued to generate discussion after the final whistle.

Now, less than six months after leaving Hearts, McInnes is returning to Tynecastle in the Rangers dugout. His previous connection with the club means the atmosphere is expected to be particularly hostile.

The appointment of Robertson adds another potential storyline to an already intriguing fixture. Rangers will be hoping the match is decided by the players rather than controversial officiating decisions.

Rangers must keep their discipline

McInnes will undoubtedly want his players to remain focused throughout what could become an emotionally charged evening in Edinburgh. With Celtic leading the standings and Hearts close behind Rangers, the importance of securing three points is obvious.

The Rangers boss will hope his previous experiences with Robertson remain in the past and that the officials have a quiet night.

Ultimately, Rangers need to concentrate on their football and avoid allowing frustration to affect their performance. If they can maintain their composure, McInnes will be hoping to leave his former club’s stadium with a crucial victory rather than another controversial evening involving the officials.