McInnes admits Hearts had the better players in 2-2 draw
Derek McInnes said Rangers deserved a point at Tynecastle but conceded the better performers were in Hearts jerseys on his first game back at his old club.
By PLZ Soccer,
Derek McInnes said Rangers deserved a point from their 2-2 draw with Hearts. Speaking after his first game back at Tynecastle, in a post-match interview on The Football Show, he was frank about where the night went wrong.
Rangers went in front, but McInnes said he was "disappointed we never showed more authority in the game". He added: "I don't think you expect to have control when you come to Tynecastle."
He pointed to a "very young forward line" that did not keep the ball well enough. With both sides playing 4-4-2 and pressing, he said "it's not so much the first ball up that you need to win, it's the next one". Hearts had the upper hand in that battle for a spell before half-time. McInnes said his side were giving away cheap free kicks and "playing with fire to be honest".
Second half
McInnes was generous to the home side. "I think Hearts had the better players. I think they had three or four real top performers tonight," he said.
He could not account for the start of the second half. "And we never started second half. It's inexplicable really." He said another free kick was given away cheaply, and Rangers were punished by Claudio's goal. He added that his team "never defended with any real certainty tonight".
Rangers improved only in the last 15 or 20 minutes, which he put partly down to Hearts tiring. They found a late equaliser from a set play. McInnes said Rangers had more possession and more big chances, but admitted "we didn't do enough to win the game but we worked hard".
Vrancken and the reception
McInnes was asked about the handshake with Wouter Vrancken at full time. He replied: "All good. All good. All good." He said Vrancken was thanking him for "how grateful he is for me leaving him such a strong squad here".
He was also asked about the pelters from supporters who, in the words of the question, "used to adore you". He said: "I didn't expect anything different and why should I."
McInnes said he enjoyed seeing staff and former players before the game. "I actually met some of the players I'd signed for the first time. It was quite surreal," he said. He added that the reception "doesn't change how I feel about this club and my time here".