McInnes admits 'guilt' ahead of hostile Tynecastle return as Hearts lose Milne for the season
The Rangers boss, who came within minutes of the title with Hearts, expects no warm welcome on Wednesday night. Hearts will be without eight first-team players.
Rangers manager Derek McInnes. File photo. · Photograph: coliedog mac (CC BY 2.0)
Derek McInnes heads back to Tynecastle on Wednesday night for the first time since leaving Hearts for Rangers, and he is under no illusions about the reception waiting for him.
The Rangers manager admits he feels guilt about his summer exit, which came just weeks after Hearts lost the title to Celtic on the final day of last season.
'That's not going to happen'
McInnes said he would like to walk out, clap the fans and have the applause returned, but accepted that would not happen. He said he understood why.
He said he loved his time at Hearts, describing his side as a breath of fresh air for Scottish football. He took a team that had finished in the bottom six and led them to 80 points, and said he felt a real injustice at how it ended.
Hearts led the Premiership for most of last season before losing 3-1 at Celtic Park on the last day, as Celtic retained the title. McInnes said that without a few contentious decisions, he believes Hearts would have won it.
'Almost in mourning'
He said the squad was hurting so much afterwards that it felt as though they were in mourning, and that he felt guilty having to decide whether to stay or go while everyone was clinging together.
McInnes said he understood fans' anger because he had felt let down himself when captain Lawrence Shankland announced he was moving to Ibrox, only for McInnes to make the same move a few weeks later. He said Hearts were absolutely title contenders this season under Wouter Vrancken.
Hearts' injury crisis
Hearts go into the match without eight first-team players. Vrancken confirmed left-back Harry Milne will miss the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in training last week. Milne was named in the PFA Scotland Premiership team of the year last season and was appointed a vice-captain in July.
Defenders Stuart Findlay and Christian Borchgrevink also face more time out, and Vrancken said it was difficult to see Tom Renaud returning before Christmas, though Blair Spittal should be back by then.
Hearts sit four points behind second-placed Rangers. Vrancken said his players must block out the noise and focus on winning.