Derek McInnes hits back at Pedro Caixinha after Rangers boss accuses him of disrespect

But the Pittodrie gaffer last night hit back at his Light Blues counterpart in the latest war of words between the pair.

The Dons ended their 26-year long wait for victory at Ibrox as goals from Graeme Shinnie and Ryan Christie clinched all three points for the visitors.

Caixinha had irked McInnes with pre-match comments about skipper Ryan Jack and what he saw as the end of Aberdeen’s ‘cycle’ during the close season.

Read more: Rangers 1-2 Aberdeen: Dons end 26-year wait for Ibrox win

The Portuguese had words with Reds assistant Tony Docherty as the teams made their way up the tunnel at the end of the Ibrox clash.

And Caixinha revealed he was disappointed with McInnes’ post-match conduct at the conclusion of the Gers’ win at Pittodrie earlier in the campaign.

He said: “I was just saluting him and saying I didn’t understand the reason why he invited me to be received in his office and didn’t show up at the previous match.

“So I said that if you didn’t show up in the previous match, you are definitely not welcome to come to my office. It is a question of respect. If I am not being respected then, please, don’t show up.

“If he didn’t show up and I waited more than 15 minutes, what do you call that? What do you call that?

“I am a guy who came here to do my job. I know I am maybe the only foreigner but I have already passed through this situation in Mexico so I am used to it. But I am here to win and here to defend this club.”

Aberdeen boss McInnes then hit back at Caixinha’s claims as he reflected on a job well done for his side after the Dons moved nine points clear of Rangers in the Premiership standings.

Read more: Rangers 1-2 Aberdeen: Dons end 26-year wait for Ibrox win

The pair had a couple of altercations on the touchline throughout a competitive affair but McInnes insists the words were nothing out of the ordinary during the heat of battle.

He said: “It’s wrong. He’s wrong. I was doing my media duties as I normally do. I’ve never been like that with any manager and never would be. Any manager is welcome in my office, so it’s not something you could aim at me.

“He is wrong, he is mistaken. If he thinks that, maybe he should have said to me before.

“Tony and my staff were there at the time and said he came in, had a quick glass of wine and shot away. He made his apologies for having to leave soon.

“I was still doing my media work and it was no longer than any other time. I would never disrespect any manager after the game.

“I argue with most managers. There was nothing more than that tonight. Everyone is just fighting their corner for the team during the game. There was nothing after the game either, I was out saluting our fans.”