Hearts Manager McInnes Furious Over 'Inexplicable' Defending in Costly Draw
Hearts manager Derek McInnes has delivered a scathing assessment of his team's defensive performance, labelling it as 'inexplicable' after they dropped two crucial points in the Scottish Premiership title race with a frustrating 2-2 draw away at Livingston. The result, which saw Hearts return to the top of the table on goal difference, was of little consolation to the furious boss, who watched his side squander a lead and a chance to extend their advantage.
Livingston Strike Early as Hearts Defensive Woes Begin
The visitors fell behind within just five minutes at the Tony Macaroni Arena, conceding to a fine strike from Livingston's Stevie May. Hearts responded with goals from captain Lawrence Shankland and striker Claudio Braga either side of the interval, putting the Edinburgh side deservedly in front. However, their defensive frailties resurfaced shortly before the hour mark when Lewis Smith capitalised on slack play in Hearts' own half to level the score and earn Livingston a share of the spoils.
McInnes Blasts 'Poor' Goals and Psychological Shift
McInnes did not mince his words in his post-match analysis, stating unequivocally that it was 'absolutely two points dropped'. He expressed his frustration at conceding what he described as 'really poor goals', highlighting systemic failures in his team's press and ball retention. 'The first goal comes from the press not being right,' McInnes explained. 'Just because the press isn't right at the outset, it still means you don't throw petrol into the fire and make the situation worse.'
He was particularly critical of the second goal, calling it 'inexplicable how we gave the ball away in that area of the pitch'. McInnes emphasised that his team should have been 'looking after the ball and staying in charge of the game'. He noted the psychological impact of conceding, saying, 'Even with half an hour to go, psychologically it changes because we then have to try and go again.' This shift, he argued, allowed Livingston, a team fighting at the bottom of the league, to 'have something to hang on to'.
Shankland's Return Offers Silver Lining Amid Defensive Concerns
The match did provide a positive note with the return of captain Lawrence Shankland to the starting lineup for the first time since mid-January. Shankland notched his 12th league goal of the season and provided a second-half assist for Braga, drawing praise from his manager. 'I thought he was terrific throughout,' said McInnes. 'He looked a threat, his header was top-class... I was delighted with our attacking threat.'
McInnes highlighted the effective combination between Shankland and Braga, noting it was 'great that both lads have scored'. However, he stressed that this offensive output could not excuse the defensive lapses. 'But there can't be a trade-off with that, and there was no need for us to lose the types of goals we lose,' he asserted, pointing out that Hearts had conceded only one goal in their previous four games before this match.
Livingston Boss Bartley Praises Effort But Craves Points
For Livingston, the draw extended their winless league run to a staggering 30 games, leaving them 11 points adrift at the foot of the table with just six matches remaining. Manager Marvin Bartley hailed his players' performance against the league leaders, acknowledging they 'more than earned their point'. However, he admitted he would happily swap plaudits for points, stating bluntly, 'There's no sympathy in terms of having good performances. We have only got one win, we are where we are in the league because we deserve to be there, ultimately.'
Bartley remained defiant about his team's survival prospects, vowing, 'This team will keep on fighting.' He set a simple standard for his players, saying, 'If they show me that kind of effort that they showed today in every single game, that's all I can ask of them.'
Title Race Implications and Looking Ahead
The draw saw Hearts, who ended the game with ten men after Marc Leonard's late red card, return to the summit of the Scottish Premiership, having been briefly replaced by Rangers over the weekend. However, McInnes was left to rue a missed opportunity to restore a three-point advantage ahead of next weekend's visit of Motherwell. Reflecting on the broader defensive issues, he concluded, 'I never thought we looked quite settled defensively the whole game,' underscoring the need for improvement if Hearts are to maintain their title challenge.
