McInnes faces hostile Hearts return after summer departure to Rangers

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 27 Oct, 19:03 · Archive

Derek McInnes returns to Tynecastle as Rangers manager on Wednesday for the first time since leaving Hearts in the summer.

Derek McInnes will return to Tynecastle as Rangers manager on Wednesday night, four months after leaving Hearts to join his former club. Hearts finished within three minutes of winning the Scottish Premiership last season before losing to Celtic 3-1 at Parkhead on the final day. McInnes also moved Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin from Hearts to Rangers during the summer, though both players will miss Wednesday's fixture through injury.

McInnes acknowledged he will not receive a warm welcome from Hearts fans. "The hope would be that you get on to the pitch and clap the fans and there's an acknowledgement both ways, but that's not going to happen," he said. "I totally understand it."

He expressed pride in what Hearts achieved under his management. "I loved my time at Hearts," he said. "I thought my Hearts team were a breath of fresh air for Scottish football last season." He described the title loss as "a real injustice", particularly referencing a contentious penalty award to Celtic in their penultimate fixture. That comment earned McInnes a touchline ban, which he served as Rangers boss.

McInnes said he felt guilt about leaving. Hearts player Claudio Braga said McInnes and the other departing players "have the consequences" of their choice, though he stressed players who know McInnes personally cannot simply hate them for making a professional move.

Rangers currently trail Celtic by four points in the league. A loss at Tynecastle could extend that gap significantly, with Celtic playing at home to Dundee United on the same day.

How it is being reported

• McInnes admits he felt guilty over leaving Hearts in the summer as Rangers boss braces for hostile reception on his return to TynecastleDEREK McINNES insists he felt guilty about leaving Hearts in the summer - with the Rangers boss fully expecting a hostile reception when he returns to Tynecastle tonight.Daily Mail Sport · 27 Oct, 18:51
• Derek McInnes is a fine manager. But he could be cast as a nearly man if he fails to win the league against one of the worst Celtic teams in memoryAs he prepares to head back to Tynecastle to face Hearts for the first time since leaving in the summer, Derek McInnes finds himself in a strange position.Daily Mail Sport · 27 Oct, 17:06
• McInnes admits 'guilt' over Hearts exit for RangersRangers manager Derek McInnes admits feeling "guilt" about leaving Hearts for Ibrox in the summer and accepts the rough reception that could come his way when he returns to Tynecastle on Wednesday.BBC Sport · 27 Oct, 15:31
• McInnes reveals 'guilt' over Hearts exit ahead of return with Rangers, live on SkyDerek McInnes spoke about his feelings of "injustice" and "guilt" ahead of his returns to Hearts as Rangers boss, and insisted he was ready to accept whatever reception he is given by Jambos fans.Sky Sports · 27 Oct, 15:00
• Hearts star Claudio Braga expects fiery welcome for Rangers boss Derek McInnes on his return to TynecastleClaudio Braga expects Derek McInnes to face a hostile reception when he returns to Tynecastle on Wednesday night - a 'consequence' of leaving Hearts for Rangers four months ago.Daily Mail Sport · 26 Oct, 22:30

In this story: Derek McInnes · Hearts · Rangers · Celtic · Claudio Braga · Lawrence Shankland · Cammy Devlin · Tynecastle

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log