Rangers Boss Derek McInnes Admits Hearts Guilt Before Tynecastle Return

With a Tynecastle return just around the corner, Derek McInnes says he feels guilty about leaving Edinburgh to move to Glasgow over the summer. Rangers trail Celtic by four points and face Hearts on Wednesday.

Likewise, the Gers also share a four-point difference with the Edinburgh side, although in this case they are ahead. The away game follows a home victory against St Johnstone, with Rangers netting four goals against the visitors.

McInnes spoke ahead of the game, acknowledging the difficult decision he made to walk away following a title disappointment. "I felt the guilt about the decision over whether I stayed or left", the Rangers gaffer said.

The Scottish manager also explained the expectations after last season, with everyone hoping that the people who were part of the campaign would stay together. Hearts finished the 2025-26 season with 80 points but missed out on the title due to a final-day loss.

They played out a 3-1 defeat against Celtic, with the latter winning the title in their stead. McInnes helped Hearts go from a bottom-six finish in the previous season to almost champions in the next.

Nevertheless, the Rangers manager remains proud of the achievements in Edinburgh despite losing out on the title, which he believes was due to contentious decisions. Interestingly, Lawrence Shankland left Hearts before McInnes, as the striker made a move to Ibrox during the summer. 

The 55-year-old remembers feeling flat and let down by his player, but the gaffer ended up making the same decision. Now, McInnes is expecting a tough reception from the home fans on Wednesday.

Regardless, he is keen on not letting the reactions tomorrow alter his affection for the club and the time he had with them. Cammy Devlin also previously played for Hearts, but both he and Shankland will miss the fixture due to injury. 

Nevertheless, the last game saw Kevin Kelsy grab a double against St Johnstone, offering encouragement for the Gers as they prepare for another game without their captain. Victory on Wednesday would leave them with a seven-point advantage over third-placed Hearts.

However, a loss will pull them further away from a possible first-place finish. Likewise, McInnes also considers his former club title contenders under new manager Wouter Vrancken, which highlights the challenge the Glasgow side are about to face. In any case, the pressure to secure three more points will be on the Gers, considering their recent form.