Derek McInnes responds after Heart of Midlothian slip behind Celtic in title race

Derek McInnes was left frustrated after Heart of Midlothian dropped valuable points in the title race following a 2-2 draw away to Livingston.

The league leaders had taken control of the match and were leading 2-1, but failed to see the game out, allowing Livingston—who are battling relegation—to fight back and claim a share of the points.

Speaking after the match, McInnes admitted his side were in a strong position and should have secured victory. He pointed to poor game management as a key issue, acknowledging that Hearts struggled to deal with Livingston’s late pressure and delivery into the box. While he praised aspects of his team’s performance, he was clear that matches like this must be closed out, especially at such a crucial stage of the season.

McInnes described the result as “two points dropped rather than one gained,” highlighting the importance of every result as the title race intensifies. The draw also marked Hearts’ fifth red card of the campaign, adding to their frustrations.

Despite the setback, the Hearts boss remained composed, reminding supporters that his side still sit at the top of the table with six games remaining. He admitted it was a missed opportunity but accepted that, on reflection, a draw may have been a fair outcome.

Looking ahead, McInnes stressed the need to stay focused, with tougher fixtures on the horizon. Hearts will host Motherwell before the league split, followed by a potentially decisive clash away to Celtic as the title race reaches its climax.