MusaHearts manager Derek McInnes has aimed what many will see as a fiery shot at Celtic in the wake of their dramatic 3-2 victory over Kilmarnock — just days before the Hoops’ crucial Europa League showdown with Stuttgart.
While Celtic were celebrating Julian Araujo’s stoppage-time winner at Rugby Park, McInnes was making it clear that the title race narrative is far from settled — and that any suggestion the Old Firm are only fighting each other could prove costly.
Sunday’s defeat at Ibrox narrowed Hearts’ Premiership advantage to just two points with 11 fixtures remaining. Yet rather than retreat, McInnes doubled down — insisting his side are very much alive in the fight and warning that dismissing them would be a serious mistake.
With Celtic scrambling for late winners in back-to-back matches to stay in touch, McInnes appeared to question the growing assumption that the championship will inevitably return to Glasgow.
He said: “We feel a pressure on ourselves.
“We’ve been there that long, the disappointment would be so much when actually, it shouldn’t be. Claudio Braga said something post-match about how it’s been 41 years since a team has been talked about like this and actually managed to win the league.
“From that point of view, there shouldn’t be any real pressure on us. We’ve just got to try and enjoy it. We are enjoying it, but nobody enjoys defeats.
“I want us to keep the form we’ve had up until now, consistent, because if we are consistent with those results, then it will go down that final straight.
“That’s all we want to do, make sure we’re still in the mix for it.
“Rangers spent a fortune in January. Celtic tried to get as much done in January as well, already on top of what they’ve done because they know the importance of it.
“It’s not just each other that they are competing with. They might think it is after Sunday but I think people would be wrong to dismiss us.
“We’re still sitting on top of the league and we’ve got such a strong home record, so hopefully we can make some hay with the upcoming fixtures.”
The timing of those comments is significant.
Celtic now turn their focus to Stuttgart in Europe — a tie that demands concentration and composure. But McInnes’ message serves as a reminder that domestic pressure is not easing. If anything, it is intensifying.
Hearts remain top of the table, boast one of the strongest home records in the division, and have a favourable run of fixtures before the split. McInnes is clearly determined to keep his squad mentally sharp — and perhaps plant a seed of doubt elsewhere.
As Celtic prepare for a high-stakes European test, the Hearts boss has ensured one thing: the title race tension is very much alive, and any slip in focus could prove decisive.
Musa
