Derek McInnes Addresses Incident with Celtic’s Mark Fotheringham and Welcomes New Signing

Hearts manager Derek McInnes has revealed that Celtic assistant coach Mark Fotheringham reached out to him to apologize for his conduct during their recent match at Tynecastle.

Following an early goal by Benjamin Nygren from a free-kick, McInnes made his way into the Celtic technical area, only to be escorted away by the fourth official. Despite a late equalizer from Stuart Findlay and a goal from Yang Hyun-jun that seemed to secure victory for Celtic, the match ended in a 2-2 draw after Auston Trusty received a red card, allowing Claudio Braga to score and maintain Hearts’ six-point lead over the reigning champions.

Reflecting on the incident, McInnes expressed his surprise at Fotheringham’s reaction, stating, “I was annoyed. I’ve encountered various dugouts and Celtic teams throughout my career, but this reaction caught me off guard and I felt it was inappropriate.”

He continued, “In fairness to Mark, I don’t know him well, but I’ve heard good things about him. He called me on Monday afternoon to apologize, indicating that there was no offense intended. His willingness to reach out speaks volumes about his character.”

Looking ahead, McInnes is preparing his team for a match against Dundee United, aiming to extend their lead at the top of the Premiership while urging his players to focus on their performance rather than the outcomes of rival teams. “We need to concentrate on the challenges presented by our upcoming fixtures,” he said. “It’s about selecting the right team and achieving the right performance; the rest will take care of itself.”

In transfer news, Hearts have confirmed the loan signing of 22-year-old Rogers Mato from North Macedonian club Vardar, a move that comes as a strategic reinforcement amidst Lawrence Shankland’s injury absence until March. McInnes expressed his satisfaction with the acquisition, saying, “The club has done well to secure him this window. He’s an exciting young player who offers pace and versatility, which we need at the forefront of our attack. Despite his youth, he has shown considerable potential.”

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