McInnes admits guilt over Hearts exit as Rangers draw 2-2 at Tynecastle

Derek McInnes admitted feeling "guilt" over his summer move from Hearts to Rangers, acknowledging the difficult reception awaiting him at Tynecastle. The BBC reported ^[1] that the Rangers manager understood the hostility, having just weeks prior seen Hearts fall short of a first top-flight title in 66 years due to a dramatic last-day defeat by Celtic. McInnes described the period after that loss as one of "mourning," where the squad clung together, making his subsequent departure to Ibrox feel like a painful decision.

On Wednesday, those feelings were laid bare as McInnes was booed by home fans during the 2-2 draw, according to The Guardian ^[2]. The match saw Kevin Kelsy open the scoring for Rangers after a defensive lapse, but Hearts responded with goals from Cláudio Braga and Calvin Miller. It was Olwethu Makhanya’s 89th-minute header that finally silenced the Tynecastle crowd, securing a point that keeps Rangers four points behind Celtic.

McInnes told the BBC ^[1] that he was proud of leading a "breath of fresh air" Hearts side to 80 points, despite lacking the financial muscle of the Old Firm. He recalled the sting of seeing captain Lawrence Shankland leave for Rangers earlier, a move that left him feeling "let down." This empathy shapes his view of the current dynamic, with McInnes stating that while he deserves the treatment, his affection for the Edinburgh club remains unchanged. He believes Hearts, now under Wouter Vrancken, are still title contenders, noting the injustice of last season's ending where contentious decisions went against them.

The broader Scottish Premiership weekend offered little relief for the leading pair. Celtic were forced to fight back against Dundee United, with Liam Scales scoring a 64th-minute equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw, as noted by The Guardian ^[2]. Manager Martin O’Neill expressed disappointment at failing to win at Parkhead, citing poor defensive errors that allowed Zac Sapsford and Neil Farrugia to put United ahead. Meanwhile, Rangers remain second, four points off the pace, as the battle for the title continues to unfold with high drama and lingering emotional scars.