Derek McInnes breaks silence on Hearts pain as Celtic snatch title | Football | Sport
Derek McInnes spoke for the first time since the defeat at Celtic. (Image: Getty)
Derek McInnes is determined to channel the anguish and frustration of Hearts’ agonising title near miss into firing next season’s campaign. The Tynecastle manager has spoken publicly for the first time since Saturday’s dramatic 3-1 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead, which saw Martin O’Neill’s side edge them out for the title by just two points.
A pitch invasion by Celtic supporters following the third goal, along with alleged assaults on Hearts players, meant McInnes and his squad left the stadium immediately, still in their kit, on police advice to make a swift return to the capital. However, having collected the Scottish Football Writers Association Manager of the Year award, McInnes’ third personal accolade of the campaign, he was focusing on the positives from a season that captured the imagination, pledging to make Hearts consistent contenders.
“In the cold light of day when we look back there’s been so much positivity from where we were at the beginning of the season,” he said.
“You always start a season with hope and expectation and I think we’ve exceeded all of that this season.
“So the intention now is to dust ourselves down and try and enjoy our break but be ready for the challenges ahead.
“I fully believe that those challenges are going to be met, with the enthusiasm from everybody at the club, the desire to improve and go on and try and be the norm for us to be challenging and trying to be competing for trophies on a more regular basis.
“I firmly believe that those expectations will be met as we go on.
“So I think this season’s gave us so much encouragement for us to reach 80 points, be involved in the Champions League qualifiers coming up in July, a club record and so many positives from the campaign.
“We’ll look back and enjoy it but we’ll also have that kind of grievance at times and that disappointment to try and spur us on to something greater.”
EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
While he may not have secured the ultimate prize, they now have a Champions League qualifier next season.
Derek McInnes during Hearts’ devastating loss on the final day. (Image: Getty)
It marks the first time Hearts have reached this stage of the tournament in two decades, when AEK Athens eliminated them after an earlier round victory over Siroki Brijeg.
Launching another title challenge while juggling European football is not something Hearts had to contend with last term, but McInnes remains confident that Jamestown Analytics can assist him in assembling a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.
WORLD CUP LEGENDS: The stars who lit up football’s greatest tournament – Buy the Special Edition today
“I think you’ve got a good reference point there in terms of what can be done and obviously it’s your job now to try and put a squad together that helps us meet those challenges,” he said.
“There will be more expected of us next season and rightly so, but I do think it will give us even more belief and confidence with what we’re doing.
“I think the team’s played with a real attitude to win this season which really has been demonstrated so often and that pleases me no end and we have to be that and a wee bit more again if we can go and try and lift silverware.
“Hopefully we’ve given enough encouragement to so many other teams of what can be done.
“But I think if your whole club is operating well from top to bottom and we’ve got that at the minute, we’re still not awash with money and we have to use what we’ve got wisely, but I think what we have got is expertise, plenty of enthusiasm and a real desire to drive the club on.
“So with all that in the mix then we’re hopeful and confident that we can keep progressing.
“Even saying we have Champions League football to come, it feels brilliant just being involved in that and we’ll look forward to it when it comes around.
“It’s important we have a rest over the summer but we also need to be busy and try to help the squad deal with those sort of games and we’ll be determined when the game comes around, the Champions League qualifier, to try and make the most of that.
“I mean it’s obviously a long way into the Champions League from where we are but we’re in it anyway and we’re in the fight so I think it’ll be exciting for the club when that date comes around.”
