McInnes admits 'guilt' over Hearts exit ahead of Tynecastle return with Rangers
Rangers manager Derek McInnes says he feels guilt about leaving Hearts for Ibrox and expects a hostile reception on his return to Tynecastle, while insisting he is proud of last season's near-title run.
Rangers manager Derek McInnes has admitted feeling "guilt" about leaving Hearts for Ibrox in the summer and accepts he may face a rough reception when he returns to Tynecastle on Wednesday. He said he does not expect a warm welcome, despite the squad he left behind having come so close to ending Celtic's dominance.
McInnes spoke with pride about his time at what he called a "really well-run" Edinburgh club. He said his Hearts side had been "a breath of fresh air for Scottish football" last season and pointed to taking a team that had finished in the bottom six to 80 points, describing a sense of injustice at how the campaign ended.
Hearts led the Scottish Premiership for most of the season but lost 3-1 at Celtic Park on the final day as the reigning champions retained the title. McInnes said the squad was hurting afterwards, likening the mood to mourning, and that he felt the guilt of having a decision to make about whether to stay or leave.
He also acknowledged how supporters felt about his exit, recalling his own sense of letdown when captain and leading scorer Lawrence Shankland had already announced a move to Ibrox. McInnes said he understood the reaction, that the treatment he gets is what it is, and that nothing would change how he felt about his time at Hearts.
Looking at the current season, McInnes believes Hearts are "absolutely title contenders" under new head coach Wouter Vrancken. He added that he had wanted to be a manager who won a title outside the Old Firm and felt that, but for a few contentious decisions, Hearts would have done so.
Image: SNS / BBC Sport
