“Big weekend for us and Celtic because Rangers lost,” Derek McInnes

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The Celtic Star

·28 April 2026

“Big weekend for us and Celtic because Rangers lost,” Derek McInnes

Derek McInnes has described the latest round of Scottish Premiership fixtures as a “big weekend” for both Celtic and his Hearts team after the Ibrox club slipped up against Motherwell…

Warren O’Hora of Hibernian scores an own goal, Heart of Midlothian’s 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.

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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 side’s 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.

McInnes said via The National: “It’s a big weekend for us and Celtic because Rangers lost.”

Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s 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)

“It helps us this weekend, but it’s another round of fixtures next weekend, and it could easily be us on the wrong side if we don’t knuckle down and get on with the job.

“It’s a big win for us in the sense that it’s 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 what’s ahead of you.”

Celtic’s 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 McInnes’ league leaders or they can forget all about their title challenge. A draw wouldn’t suit the latest Ibrox club but would possibly be the best result from a Celtic perspective.

Looking further ahead, Celtic’s run-in includes a home encounter against Danny Rohl’s side before a trip to Fir Park to face Motherwell. The Hoops’ campaign is then scheduled to conclude with a final-day meeting against Hearts at Celtic Park, which could be blockbuster.

Spirit of ’86 – Celtic team’s 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)