Heart manager Derek McInnes attacks the popular sky sport journalist: “never talk about me or Heart Fc again” after his comments on heart vs Celtic match
*Hearts manager attacks popular Sky Sports journalist: “Never talk about me or Hearts FC again” after comments on Celtic vs Hearts 2-1 match*
Hearts manager Derek McInnes has publicly clashed with a Sky Sports journalist after his side’s 2-1 defeat to Celtic at Celtic Park, telling him to “never talk about me or Hearts FC again” in a tense post-match exchange.
The outburst came less than 24 hours after Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland’s own viral rant about refereeing, and has put the spotlight back on the relationship between Scottish clubs and media coverage of refereeing decisions.
*What sparked the row*
The confrontation happened during Sky Sports’ post-match interviews outside Celtic Park. The journalist, who has not been named by Hearts, questioned whether Hearts’ complaints about officiating were “becoming a distraction” and suggested the club “need to focus on what they can control”.
McInnes, still frustrated from a game where Hearts felt denied two clear penalties, did not hold back.
“I respect questions,” McInnes said. “But when you frame it like that, it’s not analysis. It’s a narrative. And that narrative does not help my players, my staff, or the 3,000 Hearts fans who travelled here tonight.”
He then delivered the line that spread across social media within the hour: “This journalist should never talk about me or Hearts FC again if he cannot speak with respect and understanding of what happened on that pitch.”
McInnes removed his microphone and walked away as the media room went silent.
*The context: two penalties Hearts feel they should have had*
Hearts took the lead through Shankland’s 23rd-minute penalty after Alistair Johnston was penalized for handball. Celtic equalized through Daizen Maeda before half-time, and Kyogo Furuhashi scored the winner in the 81st minute.
But the talking point was the two incidents Hearts felt were missed. In the 67th minute, Alex Cochrane went down under a challenge from Nicolas Kühn inside the box. Referee Nick Walsh waved play on, and VAR did not intervene.
In stoppage time, Shankland was bundled over by Cameron Carter-Vickers as he tried to meet a cross. Again, no penalty.
“If I want to talk about the referee I’ll be in big trouble,” Shankland said post-match. “But you guys saw it. The fans saw it. It’s happening every week now.”
McInnes was more direct. “I’ve watched it back. The one on Cochrane is a penalty. The one on Shankland is a penalty. I don’t know what else to say.”
He revealed he had spoken to SFA head of refereeing Willie Collum, who admitted Hearts should have had a penalty against Motherwell earlier in May. “We get an apology on Monday. It doesn’t give us a point. It doesn’t change the table.”
*Sky Sports responds*
Sky Sports has not named the journalist involved, but a spokesperson said the channel “stands by its reporting and questioning, which is done in the public interest”.
“Press conferences are part of football,” the spokesperson said. “Managers and journalists will disagree at times, especially in high-stakes games. We respect Derek McInnes’ passion for Hearts and his players.”
The clip of McInnes’ response has 1.2m views on X. Hearts fans praised him for defending the club. Others argued managers need to accept scrutiny, especially when VAR is under the microscope.
*Not the first high-profile clash in Scotland*
This fits a pattern in Scottish football this season. Callum McGregor told a journalist “never talk about me or Celtic FC again” after an Old Firm game in May, accusing him of pushing a “conspiracy theory” about refereeing. Brendan Rodgers had a similar exchange with a DAZN reporter earlier in the campaign.
McInnes’ version is different in tone but the same in substance: frustration at what he sees as a narrative that downplays Hearts’ performance and frames complaints as excuses.
*What it means for Hearts*
Hearts sit 4th and are still in the race for European football, but the mood around Tynecastle is tense. The club feels it’s been on the wrong end of multiple VAR calls in key games against Celtic, Rangers, and Motherwell.
“We work every day to improve this team,” McInnes said. “The players give everything. The fans deserve respect. So when someone speaks in a way that ignores all of this, I will respond.”
The SFA is unlikely to take action over the comments, as McInnes did not name the journalist or use abusive language. But the exchange adds another layer to an already fractious end to the season.
For Hearts fans, it was a rare moment of their manager hitting back publicly. For the journalist, it’s a reminder that in Scotland’s title race and European chase, no question goes unchallenged.
Hearts host Dundee United next. Whether the focus returns to football remains to be seen.
