NafisaDerek McInnes has risked reigniting a major controversy with the Scottish FA after delivering a fiery verdict on Hearts’ heartbreaking title failure and insisting his former side suffered a “real injustice” during last season’s Scottish Premiership race.
The Rangers boss is preparing for an emotionally charged return to Tynecastle, where he will face Hearts after leaving the Edinburgh club following a remarkable campaign that saw them challenge Celtic for the championship.
However, McInnes’ latest comments have reopened the debate surrounding controversial decisions during the title run-in, with the manager once again suggesting that Hearts would have been crowned champions if not for several contentious calls.
His remarks are particularly striking given the disciplinary consequences he faced after previously criticising an official’s decision that favoured Celtic. With the Rangers manager now revisiting the same grievances ahead of his return to Tynecastle, questions could emerge over whether his latest intervention will attract further scrutiny from the Scottish FA.
McInnes refuses to back down over Celtic controversy
McInnes acknowledged that his return to Tynecastle could be an uncomfortable experience, with some Hearts supporters potentially unhappy about his departure and subsequent move to Rangers.
Nevertheless, he insisted that nothing would change his affection for his former club or his belief that the team deserved to win the title.
Speaking during his press conference, McInnes said:
“We had a brilliant season (last year with Hearts). My players were outstanding and we showed what could be done and I know and I think there was a real injustice that we felt that grievance towards the end of the season that we should have won a title. I wanted to be a manager that won a title outwith our own firm and, you know, but for so a few contentious decisions going against us I think we would have won.”
The strongest part of McInnes’ statement was his insistence that Hearts should have won the championship, accompanied by his suggestion that contentious decisions ultimately cost them the opportunity to make history.
While he did not explicitly insult Celtic in the quoted remarks, his comments will inevitably bring the rivalry back into focus. They also raise the question of whether the Scottish FA could take an interest in renewed criticism of decisions made by match officials.
For McInnes, however, the message was clear: he has not abandoned his belief that Hearts were left with legitimate grievances after a season in which they came remarkably close to ending the established dominance of Celtic and Rangers.
The decision that sparked fury during the title race
One of the most controversial incidents came when Celtic faced Motherwell on May 13.
With the score level at 2-2 deep into stoppage time, a VAR review examined a possible handball involving Sam Nicholson. Referee John Beaton subsequently awarded Celtic a penalty, which Kelechi Iheanacho converted to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory.
The late winner had significant consequences for the title race, handing Celtic a crucial result at a time when Hearts were attempting to protect their advantage.
McInnes was furious about the decision at the time and described the penalty as “disgusting”, adding: “I don’t think it’s a penalty kick.”
That criticism became part of the wider debate over whether officiating decisions had influenced the championship outcome. Celtic ultimately went on to beat Hearts 3-1 at Celtic Park on the final day to secure the title, leaving McInnes and his players to reflect on a campaign that had promised so much.
The Rangers boss’ latest comments have now brought those frustrations back into the spotlight.
However, it is important to distinguish between McInnes expressing his belief that Hearts were treated unfairly and any suggestion that he has already committed a fresh disciplinary offence. His quoted comments do not, by themselves, establish that the Scottish FA will sanction him again.
Why another Scottish FA sanction is a talking point
The prospect of further disciplinary action is especially relevant because McInnes has previously faced consequences after criticising an official’s decision involving Celtic.
That history makes his latest comments more significant, particularly as he has once again questioned the fairness of decisions made during the title run-in.
Managers are regularly expected to explain contentious moments, but public criticism of referees and match officials can carry disciplinary consequences under football’s governing rules. Whether a particular statement warrants action depends on its precise wording, the applicable regulations and the circumstances surrounding the comments.
McInnes has not, in the remarks provided, directly accused Celtic of wrongdoing or named an official as responsible for Hearts losing the title. Instead, he has reiterated his belief that a handful of contentious decisions prevented his side from winning the championship.
Nevertheless, his willingness to revisit the issue demonstrates just how deeply the conclusion of last season’s title race continues to affect him.
For Hearts supporters, the comments may reinforce their belief that their team’s achievement was not fully rewarded. For Celtic supporters, the renewed criticism could reopen an argument they would rather leave behind after celebrating another championship.
And for the Scottish FA, any question of disciplinary action would depend on whether McInnes’ latest remarks breach the relevant rules—not simply whether they provoke anger or controversy.
Rangers boss faces an uncomfortable return to Tynecastle
Away from the officiating debate, McInnes is preparing for a reunion that promises to be emotionally charged.
Hearts accumulated 80 points under his leadership after finishing in the bottom six during the previous season, transforming themselves into genuine title contenders and pushing Celtic towards the final day.
McInnes has made no secret of his ambition to become a manager who could win the Scottish Premiership outside the traditional Old Firm dominance. His latest comments show that he still believes Hearts were close enough to achieving that objective to feel aggrieved by how the campaign ended.
His subsequent move to Rangers has added another layer of tension to his return, with supporters potentially divided over how to respond to a manager who helped deliver an outstanding season before joining one of their biggest rivals.
Whether the Scottish FA decides to examine his latest comments remains uncertain. No fresh suspension should be treated as confirmed unless the governing body announces disciplinary action.
For now, McInnes has made his position unmistakable: he still believes Hearts should have won the title, and he is unwilling to abandon that view simply because the controversy has become uncomfortable.
His return to Tynecastle now comes with the old title-race grievances firmly back in the headlines—and the possibility of another disciplinary debate hanging over an already explosive occasion.
Nafisa
