His performances for Cowlairs earned him a cap for the Scotland national team, on 9 March 1889 against Ireland in the 1889 British Home Championship.
[3][5] McInnes scored 67 goals from 226 appearances playing as an inside forward for Notts County between 1889 and 1893.
McInnes played on the losing side for Notts County against Blackburn Rovers in the 1891 FA Cup final.
[3] Upon his return to Notts County, McInnes was suspended for a month by the Football Association because his move to Rangers breached their rules.
[3][7][8] On 13 October 1894, McInnes scored the opening goal in the first ever Merseyside derby, which Everton won 3–0.