McInnes happy to play Hearts' title deciders 'in cark park'

Heart of Midlothian head coach Derek McInnes says he would be happy to "play them in a car park" as he responded to complaints from some fans about the fixtures for the final five games of the Scottish title race.

On releasing the fixtures on Tuesday, the Scottish Professional Football League explained that it was unable this season to adhere to the tradition of handing a final-day home tie to the Premiership leaders before it splits into two sections of six.

Instead, Hearts will be away to title rivals and reigning champions Celtic on Saturday, 16 May.

A large number of kick-off times have also been moved for live television coverage of what is turning out to be a thrilling three-way chase for the title, with Hearts leading Rangers and Celtic in third.

"We could play them in a car park, I'll be honest with that," McInnes said while admitting he understands supporters' grumbles.

"I actually don't really care from our point of view where we play and the times and all the rest of it."

McInnes said the fixtures came as "no real surprise" as Hearts had been pre-warned.

"We're just delighted to be part of the whole conversation, delighted that we're going to be in amongst it and looking forward to the games when they come up," he said.

"It's not great for the fans that they don't get Saturday three o'clock, but I think, you know, having three away games it was probably difficult to fit everything in.

"I get how not everybody's going to be happy. I think the league have got a tough job to try and keep every club happy and every set of supporters happy, but for us we're just obviously excited about the games that's coming up.

"I think you look at them, a lot of mouth-watering fixtures, we've said that the top six would sort everything out and these fixtures will. They're brilliant fixtures."

The SPFL explained that Hearts are away on the final day because it was unable to have both Glasgow or Edinburgh sides play at home on the final two fixture dates, as they all kick-off at the same time, and not to have a city derby on the final day.

Only around 600 visiting fans are likely to be at Celtic Park for what could be a pivotal day in Hearts' history as they aim to clinch their first top-flight title since 1960.

"That's disappointing, that is, and I can understand the frustration from that," McInnes said.

"Let's hope that we are getting into that game with plenty to play for and we've got a lot of work to do before then, but I totally get that."

However, McInnes realised that the SPFL was keen to have "a fixture at the death that would be pretty key" and said: "I think it's an unbelievable fixture if we are and particularly if Celtic have still got a chance as well.

"If both teams are still in the mix for winning a league, it's the most dramatic fixture you can have."

McInnes fully expects the title race to go down to the final day, when Rangers also visit Falkirk.

"They've got a difficult away game last game of the season as well, so I think it's up to the league and the TV companies to try and maximise the drama," he added.