McInnes Admits Guilt Over Hearts Departure Ahead of Tynecastle Return

Derek McInnes, the current manager of Rangers, has expressed that he felt guilt over his decision to leave Hearts in the summer. He anticipates a challenging reception when his team faces his former club at Tynecastle.

McInnes led Hearts to a near-historic league title victory last season, ultimately finishing second to Celtic on the final day. He noted that lingering feelings of injustice, particularly regarding refereeing decisions during the run-in, still affect him.

Having departed Hearts at the end of the campaign to take the helm at Rangers, this upcoming match marks his first return to Tynecastle. Despite fond memories of his tenure, McInnes understands and accepts the potential criticism he may face.

"The hope would be you go on to the pitch and you clap the fans and there’s acknowledgement both ways but I know that’s not going to happen," McInnes stated. "I totally understand it. I loved my time at Hearts."

He reflected on his time with Hearts, describing his team as a "breath of fresh air for Scottish football." He highlighted the team's achievements in reaching 80 points after finishing in the bottom six, a feat he felt was accomplished despite lacking the financial resources of Rangers and Celtic. McInnes expressed pride in what his team achieved and reiterated his sense of grievance over the title race outcome.

Describing the mood at Hearts after the season's end, McInnes said, "We were hurting. It was like we were mourning." He admitted that the decision to leave weighed on him, comparing it to the departure of player Lawrence Shankland to Rangers a few weeks prior. "For me to make a similar move a couple of weeks later, I understood that."

McInnes is prepared for the atmosphere at Tynecastle, acknowledging its reputation for being "ferocious and so passionate." He emphasized the need for his team to be confident and capable of handling the match itself.

Rangers are currently four points behind Celtic in the league standings. The team enters the match with no new injury concerns, looking to build on their recent 4-0 victory over St Johnstone. McInnes also provided an update on injured players Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin, both of whom are expected to return in early December. He noted that Shankland's hamstring injury, initially feared to be season-ending, is healing well.

McInnes suggested that players who have previously played at Tynecastle, like Shankland and Devlin, could offer insights to their teammates about the environment, although he believes many within the current squad will already be familiar with the stadium's atmosphere.