Hidden meaning of 'awful' Celtic booing triggers Derek McInnes as Brendan Rodgers offers a concession

Boiling Derek McInnes branded Celtic protestors "awful" over the booing and chanting which besmirched Kilmarnock's aborted minute's silence on Remembrance Sunday – but there was a palpable sense something else was triggering him.

The 53-year-old could barely contain his fury over the actions of the travelling supporters when he met the media minutes after his side's 2-0 defeat to the Premiership champions. On face value, the disruption itself from the travelling supporters set McInnes off, however, the Killie boss reached a whole new level of anger when addressing his belief that Celtic were in control of events at Rugby Park. The silence lasted just a matter of seconds.

McInnes said: “Celtic even decided when the minute silence stops. I mean, we don't get these decisions but I thought that was awful. Awful. Why? I'm not going to lie, I'm not a politician or anything, but it's our ground, it's our minute silence. I don't get why we shouldn't have the wherewithal just to stand and show a bit of respect for one minute.”

And Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, keen to keep matters focused on football, conceded a minute's silence should be that - rather than being called up early amid the boos. He said: “I think if it's a minute of silence it should be a minute. That's the reality of it. I think you guys know the script up here at this time of the year. It's always a challenge.

“But if it's a minute silence, it's a minute silence. I think we all want to respect that. And we all understand that some don't. So it can be a divisive one. But like I say, I understand. But really, my chat is for football and that's something else. that's outside of that, sadly.”