Hearts' Title Belief Shines Through in Tynecastle Stalemate
Derek McInnes felt the conviction within his title-chasing Hearts squad was vividly on display as they fought back to avoid a first home league defeat of the season against Celtic at Tynecastle. A late strike from Claudio Braga ensured the match ended in a 2-2 draw, preserving Hearts' six-point advantage over the reigning champions with just fifteen fixtures left to play.
McInnes Hails Squad's Unwavering Confidence
While there was palpable disappointment in the dressing room for not extending their lead to nine points with a third victory over Celtic this campaign, McInnes viewed the performance as another positive step. 'I think the belief's been there for a while, to be fair,' the Hearts boss stated when asked if his team expected to win. 'I think we turned up today, certainly myself and the players, believing we can win the day. There is obviously a bit of disappointment that we haven't.'
He acknowledged the quality required, noting, 'You need a lot of things to go your way. Celtic have shown a couple of moments of quality to get their goals. But throughout the game, I thought we looked strong and confident with our work.'
Key Performances and Missed Opportunities
McInnes singled out debutant Marc Leonard for particular praise, highlighting his composure in a challenging start. 'I thought Marc Leonard was terrific... he kept taking it and he put his foot on the ball. He was very important to us, just to link that back lot to a front lot. I thought he was very influential.'
However, the manager rued missed chances, especially those from Alexandros Kyziridis either side of half-time. 'Kyziridis was bright and sharp throughout,' McInnes recalled. 'But again, by his standards, you expect him to hit the back of the net. If we take those chances and show a bit more calmness and quality, then I think we win the game.'
He also referenced Blair Spittal hitting the bar late on, adding to the sense of a missed opportunity. 'That's why we're a bit disappointed. It's a bit of a disappointed dressing room that we've not won the game. It probably illustrates how far we've come, that we're feeling that.'
Maintaining a Commanding League Position
Despite a resurgent Rangers side closing to within four points after a victory over Dundee, McInnes remains buoyant about Hearts' situation. 'I'm delighted where we are,' he stressed. 'We've been there a while now. It's more than four months. It's not a purple patch... It's something that we're comfortable with. I'm enjoying where we are.'
He emphasised the need for continuous improvement, stating, 'We're well aware there's big clubs and good teams desperate to be where we are. We've got to be ready for that challenge. I believe there's wins in us. If the fans keep that connection with the team today, who knows where it can take us.'
Incidents and Transfer Update
On the controversial red card shown to Celtic's Auston Trusty, McInnes felt the decision was correct. 'My take on it is... they needed to be sure that [Landry] Kabore would get a shot away. My thought was, 'he's definitely going to get a shot away'. For me it looked like a red card offence.'
He also brushed off his brief venture into the visiting dug-out after Celtic's opener, attributing it to an overzealous coach. 'That's one place I'll not be going! It was just one of the inexperienced coaches who got a bit carried away.'
Looking ahead, McInnes confirmed the imminent arrival of Rogers Mato from Vardar. 'I hope he finds the net quicker than he finds the UK. But he should be in this week,' he said, injecting a note of optimism for the squad's strengthening.
