McInnes Demands Answers After Title-Race Setback: “We Still Have the Fight”
Derek McInnes says there are big questions to be asked of his Hearts players after their 4-2 defeat at Rangers FC in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday — a result that has dramatically tightened the title race. The loss at Ibrox means Rangers have closed the gap on league leaders Heart of Midlothian FC to just two points with 11 games remaining, and the momentum that Hearts had built over much of the season has suddenly faltered. (Ibrox News)
In a game that promised so much for McInnes’s side — who twice took the lead through Marc Leonard and Claudio Braga — the hosts eventually asserted their influence in a gripping second half. Former Hearts striker Youssef Chermiti turned the contest on its head with a commanding hat-trick, exposing defensive vulnerabilities that McInnes will now want his squad to address. (The Guardian)
Frustration and Reflection
After the final whistle, McInnes acknowledged the narrative has shifted. He knows that if Hearts are to hold off the Old Firm challengers — not just Rangers but also Celtic FC — then his players need to respond with greater consistency and character. Questions in the dressing room will centre on how a team that led twice in such a crucial game could allow momentum to slip so dramatically. (Ibrox News)
While McInnes is expected to keep his message positive and focused, there’s also a clear recognition that this was a performance with learnings to be taken. As former Hearts midfielder Ryan Stevenson suggested on BBC Sportsound, the manager is likely to remind his squad that they remain top of the table and that there is still plenty to play for despite the disappointment of this result. (Ibrox News)
“Hearts are still where they want to be at this stage of the season,” Stevenson said, noting the significance of being in command with 11 matches left. That belief — that Hearts can absorb a setback and still come out fighting — appears to be central to McInnes’s post-match message. (Ibrox News)
Defensive Questions to Answer
A big focus for McInnes now will be the defensive lapses that allowed Rangers back into the game. After twice conceding the lead, Hearts struggled to stem the attacking threat, particularly in transition. Chermiti’s performance offered a stark reminder of how key moments can shape the destiny of a title race — and the goalkeeper and back line will have to be sharper if Hearts are to maintain their challenge. (The Guardian)
McInnes also has to manage the narrative off the pitch: defending confidence, balancing pressure, and ensuring his players don’t let this one result define their season. There’s still belief in the squad — that belief McInnes must now reinforce with clarity and conviction. (Ibrox News)
Title Race Momentum Shifts
This defeat hands momentum back to Rangers and opens the door for Celtic to pounce as the Premiership title fight enters its final, fevered weeks. McInnes knows that little separates the top three sides now, and that every match from here on in is like a cup final in terms of stakes. How his players respond this week — in training and in their next fixture — could define Hearts’ campaign. (Ibrox News)
Despite the frustration, McInnes remains resolute: this squad must answer tough questions, but remains very much alive in the hunt for historic glory. (thescottishsun.co.uk)
