Hearts Manager Addresses Post-Match Tension with Celtic Staff

Hearts manager Derek McInnes has shared details of a phone conversation with Celtic first-team coach Mark Fotheringham following a heated moment during last Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Tynecastle. Tensions rose after Benjamin Nygren scored the opening goal for the visitors, prompting a strong reaction from the Celtic bench that drew McInnes into the technical area.

McInnes expressed initial frustration over the celebration, describing it as out of order. He noted that it was an inexperienced coach who got carried away, later identifying Fotheringham as the individual involved. Despite the incident, McInnes emphasized his respect for the opposition, stating he has faced many Celtic teams without similar issues.

Apology and Resolution

Fotheringham reached out to McInnes on Monday afternoon to offer an apology. “In fairness to Mark, he’s not a boy I know too well, but I know people that know him. He’s a great lad, seemingly — but he phoned me Monday afternoon to apologise,” McInnes said. “He said there was no offence meant and, if there was, he said he was sorry for that. I think that says a lot about him, so we move on.”

McInnes confirmed he accepts the apology and considers the matter resolved, allowing both teams to focus on upcoming fixtures.

Upcoming Match and Squad Updates

Hearts face Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday night, with a win potentially extending their lead at the top of the table to seven points. The team remains four points clear, and victory could increase pressure on title challengers Rangers and Celtic, who play the following day.

Uganda international Rogers Mato, Hearts’ fourth signing this January window, could make his debut against United. McInnes remains keen to bolster the attack with another striker before the transfer deadline on Monday but admits it appears unlikely at this stage.

“As we sit here now, it looks unlikely at the minute,” McInnes stated. “We’ve hit the bar with a couple, to be honest. We’ve tried to exhaust one or two situations. The club’s still chipping away at it but I’m just trying to be realistic in the sense that we’ve signed four this window that we were delighted to get in.”

McInnes downplayed any strategic implications of the result, focusing instead on preparation. “It just helps that we’ve got another chance to win a game,” he said. “It shows that we’re not going anywhere and we’re still winning games of football. I’m just really concentrating on making sure we pick the right team and try to get the right performance for the lads.”