Derek McInnes has finally broken his silence after Celtic’s dramatic 3-1 win over Hearts secured another Scottish Premiership title at Celtic Park.
Celtic lifted the Scottish Premiership title on a dramatic and emotional day that saw supporters encroach the pitch and the Hearts players leave Parkhead by the side door.
McInnes has not been seen or heard of since the result and finally spoke of Hearts’ title run at the Scottish Football Writers Manager of the Year Awards.
The Hearts boss won the award, but despite that, McInnes never mentioned Celtic once in his post-award interview.
Share us your message to Martin O’Neill, as Celtic down Hearts on the final day…
McInnes focused entirely on his own side after Celtic Park defeat
McInnes instead reflected on what he believed was a hugely positive campaign despite seeing the title slip away against Martin O’Neill’s side.
He said: “Yeah, I think in the cold light of day, when we look back, there was so much positivity from where we were at the beginning of the season. We always start a season with hope and expectation, and I think we’ve exceeded all of that this season.
“So the intention now is to dust ourselves down and try and enjoy our break and be ready for the challenges ahead. I fully believe that those challenges are going to be met.
“I think the enthusiasm from everybody at the club, the desire to improve and go on and try and be the norm for us to be challenging and try and be competing for trophies on a more regular basis.
“I firmly believe that those expectations were met. So, I think this season has given us so much encouragement, for us to reach 80 points, be involved in Champions League qualifiers coming up in July, club record, as I say, and so many positives from the campaign.
“We’ll look back and enjoy it, but we’ll also have that kind of grievance at times, and that disappointment to try and spur us on to something greater.”
It was a lengthy response from McInnes, but Celtic were never directly referenced despite the Hoops sealing the title against his side.
He never even congratulated Martin O’Neill.
Celtic once again found a way when pressure peaked
The result itself summed up why Celtic secured another league title under pressure.
After Hearts took the lead, Celtic responded when it mattered most before late goals finally settled the contest at Celtic Park.
Daizen Maeda’s outstanding season continued with another decisive contribution as Celtic once again delivered in the biggest moment.
McInnes chose to focus on his own club rather than the champions themselves, but the reality is Celtic still remain the benchmark every side in Scotland is trying to reach.
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