McInnes and Vrancken clash in tense handshake as Rangers snatch late draw at Tynecastle

Derek McInnes’ return to Tynecastle ended in a prolonged, testy handshake with Hearts manager Wouter Vrancken after Rangers rescued a 2-2 draw on Wednesday night, with Olwethu Makhanya’s late equaliser sparing McInnes’ side from defeat at his former ground.

McInnes, who guided Hearts to within a game of their first Scottish Premiership title in 66 years last season before departing for Rangers in the summer, was jeered throughout by the home support. The atmosphere spilled over at the final whistle when he and Vrancken — his successor at Hearts — held their post-match handshake for an uncomfortable length of time, exchanging words as they did so.

McInnes played down the incident with a wry deflection. “I actually don’t know [what happened],” he said. “Just maybe caught up in the heat of the moment. I thought he was going to thank me for leaving him such a strong squad here.”

Vrancken was measured in his response. “I have the biggest respect for him, for what he does at Rangers and what he did here,” the Belgian said. “When you draw, lose or win, I think you have to have a genuine handshake. But we spoke at the end, and it’s all fine.”

On the pitch, Rangers had taken a first-half lead through Kevin Kelsy in the 16th minute, only for Hearts to turn the game around early in the second half with goals from Claudio Braga and Calvin Miller within the opening 13 minutes after the break. Makhanya’s equaliser then denied Hearts all three points in the closing stages.

The draw left both clubs frustrated given that leaders Celtic dropped points against Dundee United on the same evening. Celtic remain four points clear of Rangers, who are themselves four points ahead of third-placed Hearts, leaving the title race finely poised.