Derek McInness made a rather puzzling declaration after watching his side scrape past Hibernian on Tuesday night.
Rightfully, the Hearts manager is talking about being potential title winners, with their form this season and Celtic self imploding, the stars look like they could align.However, in his post match interview, the former Aberdeen and Killie boss said it would be a disaster for both Celtic AND Rangers if one of them didn’t win the league and Hearts grabbed the silver instead.
“We have been convinced for a while that we’ve got a chance.” McInnes told Sunsport.“It would be foolish to think, with 12 games to go, that we don’t.
“We understand where we are in the pecking order.
“If Rangers and Celtic don’t win the league it’s a disaster for them.“For us we’re enjoying what we’re doing.”
For the avoidance of doubt, Rangers have won just one league title in the past , during the covid season, when everyone was locked in their homes and no fans were allowed through the door.
We know as Celtic fans it would feel like a disaster, considering the resources available to us and our winning mentality over the past two decades and even beyond that. However, we’re struggling to see how it would be a disaster for Rangers when we run down the list.It’s just a strange comment and something you notice in Scottish football. Despite Celtic’s utter dominance, most seasons, they are put on the same level by media, pundits and former players who are now managers.
The desperate need to pair the two together is something that comes from a bygone era.
McInnes is correct. If Celtic don’t win the league then they have failed miserably. Not improving the squad last summer, allowing Brendan Rodgers to leave after he complained about the backing, bringing in Wilfried Nancy then sacking him and having another so-so January transfer window has seen Celtic fall from a great height.
Celtic fans see clear issues with the way there club is being run and right now Hearts are looking to capitalise on it. Not winning the title would be a disaster for Celtic. If the Ibrox club don’t win, it would simply be par for the course.