Derek McInnes notes Wilfried Nancy’s ‘very brave’ actions as he reacts to Celtic’s loss to Hearts

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Celtic have a lot of work to do.

Even though Martin O’Neill lifted spirits at Celtic, as well as putting some much-needed wins on the board, it’s the story Wilfried Nancy didn’t want written before a ball was kicked against Hearts.

Celtic were beaten 2-1 by Hearts on Sunday, as the Hoops watched Derek McInnes and his players rock up to Parkhead and spoil Nancy’s opening party.

And the formation change by Celtic’s new manager was a huge talking point before, during and after the game.

• READ MORE: Celtic told it’s ‘not fair’ on Ange Postecoglou after what is being said about Wilfried Nancy

Derek McInnes on ‘brave’ Celtic starting XI against Hearts

On paper, only three bona fide defensive players started; that’s Liam Scales, Auston Trusty and Kieran Tierney.

Speaking to Sky Sports, McInnes felt it was a ‘very brave’ call from Nancy to play so many attacking players, as he admitted the difficulty of having to get through the first 20 minutes.

“I thought we started the game poorly, to be honest,” said McInnes. “I didn’t think we settled the first ten to 15 minutes.

“We had an idea of Celtic’s team, and how they would be. Maybe not directly personnel. But certainly, the system. We spoke long and hard about trying to make sure we put it into certain areas of the pitch for them to work on possession. We didn’t quite get our distances right.

“Once we came through that first 15-20 minutes, then we started to secure the ball a wee bit better. We actually showed a bit more of ourselves. There is no doubt that Celtic were the dominant team in possession, as we knew they would be. We set up in a way where we needed to fill the middle of the pitch, with that comes discipline.

“Thankfully, Celtic, when they do score, it’s late in the game for them to throw the kitchen sink at us. I felt relatively comfortable at that stage. Even when there is a minute or two left, you aren’t really sure.

“They have got so many good players, Celtic. Technical good players. They showed a lot of what they are today, in terms of throwing all their quality players at us. The starting XI was very brave from their point of view, but equally, we knew on transitions, we knew if we secured the ball, we could hurt them.

“The distance between their outside centre-back and their winger was quite big at times. Those were the areas we tried to exploit.”

McInnes on Hearts’ ‘fortune’ during win over Celtic

Celtic simply weren’t ruthless in the first half; had they scored first, then it’s a different game altogether, and you are forcing McInnes into changes.

But even towards the end, and just before Kieran Tierney netted a consolation goal. McInnes admitted his team were ‘fortunate.’

“We got a wee bit of fortune, I think Engels crashed the header off the bar, and then the follow-up with Hatate,” said McInnes.

“That was the wee bit we thought that we got a wee bit of fortune. Sometimes you need that fortune when you come to a place like Celtic Park.”