Derek McInnes wins SWFA Manager of the Year ahead of Celtic clash

Derek McInnes has completed a clean sweep of Scotland’s major managerial honours after being named Scottish Football Writers’ Association Manager of the Year…

The Hearts boss had already collected the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year prize along with the Premiership award capping off a remarkable campaign at Tynecastle.

But despite the personal recognition, McInnes insists his focus remains entirely on Saturday’s decisive title encounter with Celtic at Celtic Park.

Hearts must avoid defeat at Celtic Park to win the league 

Hearts head into the final day knowing a draw would be enough to secure a first league championship since 1960 after taking seven points from their previous three meetings with Celtic this season.

A commanding 3-0 victory over Falkirk in midweek not only preserved Hearts’ unbeaten home league record but also pushed the Jambos beyond the 80-point barrier for the first time.

Now McInnes wants his side to complete what would be one of the most memorable title triumphs in modern Scottish football.

Speaking ahead of the clash with Martin O’Neill’s men, the Hearts boss said via Daily Record: “The consistency the players have shown all season has been incredible. To remain unbeaten at home and reach 80 points is a fantastic achievement in itself.

‘There’s one final objective left to accomplish’

“But we know there’s one final objective left to accomplish — and that’s becoming champions. To do that, we’ll need an exceptional performance against a Celtic side that has dominated Scottish football for years.

“They’ve set the standard over a long period and there’s a reason they continue to win trophies consistently. Our challenge now is not simply to compete with them over 90 minutes, but to finish above them over the course of the season.”

The title race – which has swung dramatically throughout the campaign – will now be settled in a direct showdown between the top two with only a single point separating them.

McInnes believes the finale is exactly what Scottish football would have hoped for. Although Hearts will be backed by a relatively small travelling support –

752 – inside Celtic Park, McInnes says the occasion will be followed closely by supporters across the globe.

“The atmosphere will be incredible”

He added: “I couldn’t be prouder of what this group has achieved. To have the championship decided in a final game between the top two sides is brilliant for the league and for the supporters.

“The atmosphere will be incredible and these are the occasions players and managers want to be involved in. We’ve shown already this season that we can compete with Celtic and we’ll embrace the challenge again.

“Of course, a draw would be enough for us, but nobody in football goes into a game simply trying not to lose. We understand the scale of the occasion and how many Hearts supporters will be invested in it, whether they’re inside the stadium or watching elsewhere.

“Even sitting at the top of the table for much of the campaign, people still see us as outsiders because of the resources Celtic have available.

“That makes what this squad has done even more impressive — and now we’ve got one final opportunity to complete something special.”

Conor Spence

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