Derek McInnes claims he would be happy to face Hearts’ title rivals “in a car park” following the release of their highly anticipated post-split fixtures.
Speaking before they clash with Motherwell, the manager acknowledged that while the team is focused on the pitch, the specific scheduling of the Jambos’ remaining games may be a source of frustration for the supporters.
“I actually don’t really care from our point of view where we play and the times and all the rest of it.”
“We’re just delighted to be part of the whole conversation, delighted that we’re going to be in amongst it and looking forward to the games when they come up,”
“It’s not great for the fans that they don’t get Saturday three o’clock, but I think, you know, having three away games, it was probably difficult to fit everything in.
“I get how not everybody’s going to be happy. I think the league have got a tough job to try and keep every club happy and every set of supporters happy, but for us we’re just obviously excited about the games that are coming up.
“I think you look at them, a lot of mouth-watering fixtures, we’ve said that the top six would sort everything out, and these fixtures will. They’re brilliant fixtures.”
Roughly 600 away supporters are expected at Celtic Park to witness a potentially historic moment for Hearts, as the club stands on the verge of securing its first top-tier league title in over six decades.
“That’s disappointing, that is, and I can understand the frustration from that.”
“Let’s hope that we are getting into that game with plenty to play for, and we’ve got a lot of work to do before then, but I totally get that.”
The Hearts manager believes the final day showdown with Celtic will be an “unbelievable” finale.
“If both teams are still in the mix for winning a league, it’s the most dramatic fixture you can have.”
McInnes believes the title drama could go down to the wire, with Falkirk hosting Rangers on the final matchday simultaneously.
“They’ve got a difficult away game last game of the season as well, so I think it’s up to the league and the TV companies to try and maximise the drama,”.
Hearts Post Split Fixtures
Hibernian v Heart of Midlothian (26th April 4:30 pm)
Heart of Midlothian v Rangers (4th May 5:30 pm)
Motherwell v Heart of Midlothian (9th May 8:00 pm)
Heart of Midlothian v Falkirk (13th May 8:00 pm)
Celtic v Heart of Midlothian (16th May 12:30 pm)
