Derek McInnes' Hearts handshake explained as former Rangers star delivers verdict on dugout tension
Charlie Adam believes the apparent tension between Derek McInnes and Hearts boss Wouter Vrancken after Rangers' 2-2 draw at Tynecastle was a reflection of the passion and rivalry at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
The former Rangers midfielder suggested the exchange between the two managers was understandable given the circumstances, with McInnes delighted to have rescued a point late on while Vrancken was left frustrated at seeing his side surrender the lead.
Rangers scored a late equaliser via Olwethu Makhanya to earn a draw in Edinburgh, with the result adding another twist to an increasingly competitive Premiership title race as Celtic dropped two points at home to Dundee United on the same evening.
Adam believes the intensity between the two dugouts is a positive sign for Scottish football, particularly with Hearts continuing to challenge Rangers and Celtic near the top of the table.
Speaking about the handshake on TalkSport, Adam said: "Yeah, there was one occasion when I was manager, I felt that some comments were made from an opposition dugout that it was needed. And the handshake was a little bit firmer than it should have been.
"But that's, like you say, you want to win, you're passionate.
"I think ultimately both teams want to win. And I think Hearts conceding that goal late, and Derek obviously delighted with getting that point from the position that they were in, was probably a little bit of that as well.
"I just think it's two passionate managers that have soaked up a little bit of rivalry between themselves at the moment. But it's good to see."
Vrancken and McInnes play down handshake tension
The post-match exchange attracted attention after Rangers' late equaliser denied Hearts what their manager believed should have been all three points.
Vrancken admitted he was disappointed to concede so late but insisted there was no lasting issue between himself and McInnes.
The Hearts boss emphasised the respect he has for his opposite number, who previously managed the Edinburgh club.
"I know I have the biggest respect for him, what he does at Rangers and what he did here, like I said already before the game," Vrancken said.
"So, when you draw, lose or win, I think you have to have a genuine handshake. But at the end, we spoke and it was all fine."
McInnes also dismissed suggestions of friction when asked about the handshake, responding: "No, no, all good."
When told that Vrancken would have preferred a nicer handshake, the Rangers manager delivered a tongue-in-cheek reply.
"I think he just thanked me how grateful he is for me leaving him such a strong squad here," McInnes joked.
The exchange came after an emotionally charged contest, with both managers keen to secure a significant result for their respective sides.
Charlie Adam highlights changing Scottish Premiership landscape
Adam also reflected on the wider significance of the result, suggesting the growing competitiveness at the top of the table is a positive development for Scottish football.
Rangers had taken confidence from recent back-to-back league and cup victories over Celtic and a convincing win against St Johnstone, but the trip to Tynecastle presented a difficult challenge.
Adam believes McInnes will have been frustrated not to take all three points after Rangers created a late opportunity to win the match.
"It was always going to be a tough match going to Tynecastle," Adam said.
"They just didn't get the result that they wanted because they want to win and they need to win.
"It was a huge miss from Sterling in the last sort of dying seconds of the game. That would have been a huge result and again, possibly that as well, that little frustration from Derek at the end, knowing that he could have nicked it to go away from him.
"I think what we'll say is that sort of fear factor gone a little bit in terms of Celtic and Rangers, knowing that you can go to Celtic Park and Ibrox and get points at the moment.
"I think ultimately that comes down to good coaching from the opposition, good structures within the game and, like you say, they're going to get moments where they can hurt the Old Firm."
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