Rangers manager Derek McInnes has had a touchline ban reduced to two games, with two suspended, following an appeal against punishment for comments made on a last-gasp Celtic penalty during a television interview.

The 55-year-old will be in the stands for Wednesday’s visit to Falkirk and Saturday’s home match against Motherwell.

He will return to the dugout for the rescheduled visit of St Mirren to Ibrox on 9 September.

The original penalty of a four-match touchline ban, with one suspended, was issued in July and related to McInnes’ spell as Hearts boss last season, when he described the decision to award Celtic a late penalty at Motherwell in May as “disgusting”, adding “we are up against everybody”.

The stoppage-time spot-kick for handball was converted by Kelechi Iheanacho and Celtic’s 3-2 victory at Fir Park on 13 May kept them one point behind Hearts, who they beat to the title three days later in a final-day decider.

Rangers argued the remarks were “directed at the decision, rather than representing any broader criticism of officials” when announcing their intention to contest the ban.

At the same time, McInnes, said: “I’ve never wanted to make it personal. For me, the decision was wrong.

“Broadcasters pay a lot of money to hear managers’ reactions. We’ve got to be careful that we don’t have managers and players who have to be really sure of themselves and check themselves before answering a question.

“At no point was I wanting to inflame a situation. The situation was already being discussed before I did my press. It was quite a big moment in the season and there was a lot of emotion, but I felt as though what I said was controlled.”

Speaking to Sky Sports after a win against Falkirk at Tynecastle on the same night as Celtic’s win at Fir Park, McInnes said: “When you heard Celtic got a 96th-minute penalty that was going to VAR and they were checking it, you just assume what’s happened is they get the penalty.

“Having seen it again, it’s disgusting. It is. I don’t think it’s a penalty kick.

“But we’re up against it. We’re up against everybody.”

Scottish FA head of referees Willie Collum later backed the call, citing “clear evidence” of Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson’s hand and arm “in an unnatural position” – and the resulting contact “a punishable handball”.

The July statement from Rangers added: “Respect for officials and legitimate scrutiny are not competing principles.

“Managers, players and clubs must be able to speak honestly about major decisions if Scottish football is serious about raising standards and maintaining trust.

“Scrutiny, transparency and accountability should be seen as part of improving standards, not as a threat to them.”