Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes is adamant that he has 'no beef' with the Scottish Football Association after a misunderstanding over Kyle Lafferty's disciplinary hearing.
The controversy-ridden former Rangers striker found himself in hot water after a video went viral of the Northern Irishman apparently using sectarian language towards a Celtic fan, resulting in an internal investigation by Kilmarnock and a potential 10-game ban by the SFA, which would not ideal for Killie, who sit just two points ahead of Ross County at the foot of the Premiership table.
McInnes had Lafferty on the bench last week in the 4-1 loss at Aberdeen, before starting the striker in midweek in the 2-1 win over St Johnstone - much to the dismay of the league. But McInnes has defended himself for his decision to include Lafferty, with the SFA failing to communicate well with them on the issue - claiming that he was only 'playing by the rules' with the ban not enforced just yet as a hearing is still yet to take place.
"It got brought to my attention on Tuesday, prior to the St Johnstone game after we had named the team and went through everything, that we could have maybe brought it forward by a week which was the 13th, by which stage we had just decided to run with the 20th," McInnes said.
"Maybe there has been a wee bit of a lack of communication but certainly no beef with me and the SFA. We are just trying to respect the process. Before the Aberdeen game I wanted it dealt with because then it falls on me. Am I right to pick him or not? And I thought it would have been dealt with but we have had good communication with the SFA in the last 24 hours and probably better communication.
"It was a tough one for me to get involved in last Saturday, whether to take the sting out of it all. I thought long and hard about his involvement in the game. But being at home here (on Wednesday), we had done our preparation Monday and Tuesday and I felt if he is going to get a ban in a few weeks' time it is important that we tried to utilise that.
"Kyle has been training well and that's why we played him, he played well in the game and played his part in a winning performance. There is three more games prior to the hearing and we will take what's coming from that but up until then I have the luxury of picking him or not."
A ban for Lafferty would leave the Ayrshire side short up front, with Oli Shaw and Innes Cameron likely to lead the line in his place.
