Unseen footage captures Derek McInnes’s meltdown at the SFWA awards ceremony.

Derek McInnes could not completely hide his frustration over Hearts missing out on the Premiership title to Celtic when he attended the Scottish Football Writers’ Association awards ceremony.

The Hearts boss received the Manager of the Year award less than 24 hours after the dramatic finale at Celtic Park, where Martin O’Neill’s Celtic side secured the league title in extraordinary circumstances on the final day of the campaign.

3EFPXC7 Celtic manager Martin O’Neill and Heart of Midlothian manager Derek McInnes during the William Hill Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday May 16, 2026.

For much of the season, Hearts had looked capable of producing one of the biggest surprises Scottish football has witnessed in recent years. McInnes had guided the Edinburgh club into a genuine title race, with many supporters beginning to believe the championship was finally within reach after months spent at the top of the table.

Even during the closing moments of the decisive clash at Celtic Park last Saturday, Hearts were still in a strong enough position to dream about lifting the trophy. However, the situation changed dramatically in a matter of minutes.

Daizen Maeda’s late strike gave Celtic renewed hope before Callum Osmand scored deep into stoppage time, sending the stadium into chaos and effectively sealing the title for the home side. The scenes inside Celtic Park were emotional and frantic as Celtic supporters celebrated a comeback that completed an incredible end to the season.

After the match, much of the discussion focused on VAR and several contentious decisions that had taken place throughout the final weeks of the campaign. There was clear irritation from the Hearts camp regarding some officiating calls during the run-in, and it appeared those emotions had not settled by the time McInnes attended the SFWA ceremony the following evening.

Despite the painful disappointment of losing the title in such dramatic fashion, McInnes still enjoyed significant personal recognition for the work he achieved throughout the season. He not only transformed Hearts into serious title contenders but also ensured qualification for the Champions League, something that represented a major success for the club.

His achievements earned widespread praise across Scottish football, and he ultimately swept up the individual managerial honours at the awards event.

However, according to Gordon Dalziel, there was still obvious bitterness lingering beneath the surface when McInnes took to the stage to collect his trophy.

Dalziel, who attended the ceremony, later revealed that the Hearts manager ended his acceptance speech with a blunt remark aimed directly at VAR before leaving the stage.

Speaking on Open Goal, the former striker explained what happened during the event.

He said: “I was there, I thought his speech was good.

“Ah, no, he never elaborated on it, then he just went right at the end as he was walking off, he went, f*** VAR, and just walked off.”

The moment highlighted just how raw the emotions remained inside the Hearts camp following the devastating conclusion to the season.

McInnes had come within touching distance of delivering a remarkable league triumph that very few people predicted at the beginning of the campaign. Back in August, Hearts were not considered realistic challengers for the championship, with most expectations centred around Celtic and Rangers battling for top spot once again.

Instead, Hearts emerged as genuine contenders under McInnes’ leadership and maintained their challenge for the majority of the season. Their consistency, organisation and belief turned them into a difficult side to beat, while their supporters increasingly sensed history could be made.

That is why the collapse at Celtic Park proved so difficult to accept.

To lose the title in the final moments of the season after leading the race for so long naturally left players, staff and supporters emotionally drained. Although McInnes was able to celebrate individual recognition at the SFWA awards, the pain of missing out on the league crown was clearly still fresh in his mind.

From Celtic’s perspective, though, there is unlikely to be much sympathy for Hearts’ frustrations surrounding VAR.

Martin O’Neill’s side produced a sensational finish to the season, winning eight consecutive league matches during the run-in to pile pressure on Hearts at exactly the right time. Celtic’s relentless form ensured they remained close enough to capitalise on any slip-ups from their rivals.

Hearts eventually dropped valuable points away from Tynecastle during the latter stages of the campaign, opening the door for Celtic to complete the comeback. While VAR decisions became a major talking point among supporters and pundits alike, many inside Celtic would argue that their consistency and winning mentality across the final stretch ultimately proved decisive.

The title victory also underlined Celtic’s experience in handling high-pressure situations. Having players capable of producing decisive moments in crucial matches once again made the difference when the stakes were at their highest.

For Hearts, the disappointment will undoubtedly take time to overcome, but McInnes’ work this season has dramatically changed expectations surrounding the club. Competing for the title until the very last moments of the campaign and securing Champions League football represented enormous progress and offered supporters genuine optimism for the future.

Still, the manner in which the season ended continues to sting.

McInnes’ brief but explosive comment at the awards ceremony demonstrated that the controversy surrounding VAR and the dramatic finish at Celtic Park remains firmly on the minds of those connected to Hearts. Even while accepting one of the biggest individual honours of his managerial career, the frustration of coming so close to Premiership glory was impossible to fully ignore.

Meanwhile, Celtic celebrated another league triumph after an extraordinary finale that will be remembered for years to come. O’Neill’s side showed resilience, composure and determination when everything appeared to be slipping away, eventually producing a dramatic turnaround that secured the championship in unforgettable fashion.