ABDERDEEN manager Derek McInnes was sent off during the second-half of his side's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic for appearing to react to sectarian abuse aimed at him.

The 48-year-old made a gesture with an arm after a section of Celtic supporters called him a "sad orange b******."

What seemed to happen next was that fourth official Nick Walsh alerted referee Craig Thomson to McInnes's reaction. The Aberdeen boss was then sent to the stand for the last 15 minutes of the match.

Celtic won 3-0 on a day when Aberdeen's Don Ball and Lewis Ferguson were also sent off.