Derek McInnes hailed a significant weekend for Hearts and Celtic following Rangers' loss to Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership. This outcome boosts both teams' standings in the league.
Key points
Derek McInnes comments on Scottish Premiership fixtures
Hearts and Celtic benefit from Rangers' loss
Rangers lost to Motherwell
Warren OâHora scored an own goal for Hibernian
HeartsCelticRangersMotherwell
âBig weekend for us and Celtic because Rangers lost,â Derek McInnes
âBig weekend for us and Celtic because Rangers lost,â Derek McInnes
Derek McInnes has described the latest round of Scottish Premiership fixtures as a âbig weekendâ for both Celtic and his Hearts team after the Ibrox club slipped up against MotherwellâŠ
Warren OâHora of Hibernian scores an own goal, Heart of Midlothianâs first goal of the game, as teammate Rocky Bushiri attempts to clear the ball off the line during the Scottish Premiership match between Hibs and Hearts at Easter Road on April 26, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
Celtic had already strengthened their position with a 3-1 victory over Falkirk at Celtic Park on Saturday, leaving their rivals needing a strong response across the weekend fixtures.
While Hearts secured a narrow 2-1 win over Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby, theRangers suffered a setback as they were beaten 3-2 at Ibrox, with the Steelmen striking a late winner courtesy of Emmanuel Longelo.
Motherwell celebrate scoring a late winning goal during the Scottish Premiership match between the Rangers and Motherwell at Ibrox Stadium on April 26, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Reflecting on the results after his sideâs win at Easter Road, McInnes stressed that the outcome of the weekend could have a significant impact on the direction of the title race for the leading contenders.
Q&A
What did Derek McInnes say about the weekend's Scottish Premiership results?
Derek McInnes described the weekend as significant for both Hearts and Celtic due to Rangers' loss.
How did Rangers perform in their latest match?
Rangers slipped up against Motherwell in their latest Scottish Premiership fixture.
What impact does Rangers' loss have on Hearts and Celtic?
Rangers' loss positively affects the standings of both Hearts and Celtic in the league.
Who scored an own goal in the match between Hibernian and Hearts?
Warren OâHora of Hibernian scored an own goal during the match against Hearts.
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McInnes said via The National: âItâs a big weekend for us and Celtic because Rangers lost.â
Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates scoring his teamâs third goal with teammate Alistair Johnston during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
âIt helps us this weekend, but itâs another round of fixtures next weekend, and it could easily be us on the wrong side if we donât knuckle down and get on with the job.
âItâs a big win for us in the sense that itâs against your local rivals. I do think if you win your first game, it can give you impetus and the confidence to go and deal with whatâs ahead of you.â
Celticâs attention now turns to an away fixture at Easter Road with a lunchtime kick-off on Sunday.
Easter Road from above. Hibs v Celtic. 22 February 2025. Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Elsewhere, the following day brings a potentially decisive clash as Hearts host the Ibrox club at Tynecastle, a contest expected to carry major significance in the battle for the title. Rangers must win against Derek McInnesâ league leaders or they can forget all about their title challenge. A draw wouldnât suit the latest Ibrox club but would possibly be the best result from a Celtic perspective.
Looking further ahead, Celticâs run-in includes a home encounter against Danny Rohlâs side before a trip to Fir Park to face Motherwell. The Hoopsâ campaign is then scheduled to conclude with a final-day meeting against Hearts at Celtic Park, which could be blockbuster.
Spirit of â86 â Celtic teamâs welcome to Paradise. Saturday 25 April 2026. Celtic v Falkirk. Scottish Premiership. Photo Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
The day before the Glasgow Derby Hearts are at Fir Park and Motherwell will fancy their chances of adding Hearts to the Rangers in taking title chasing scalps with Celtic next up at Fir Park the following midweek. It could well be that the team that gets the better of Motherwell when the dust settles on this season will be the Champions.
Conor Spence
Daizen Maeda celebrates during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
READ THIS ON CELTIC SHORTSâŠâGoal Celtic â The scorer, number 38, Daizen, Daizen, DaizenâŠ.â Maeda
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