“I completely understand the reaction. However, I must say that I loved my spell at Hearts. Although it was brief, I believe my side brought something exciting and different to Scottish football last season.
“I took great satisfaction from what we accomplished. We demonstrated what is possible without the vast financial resources available to Rangers and Celtic, and I was extremely proud of our achievements.
“We took a team that had finished in the bottom half and guided it to 80 points, so the way the campaign ended felt deeply unfair. I know the reception I receive on Wednesday may be unpleasant, but I understand why.”
Hearts occupied first place in the Scottish Premiership for much of the campaign, but a 3-1 defeat at Celtic Park allowed the defending champions to secure the trophy in dramatic circumstances.
“Everyone at Hearts was devastated by what happened last season,” McInnes said. “It almost felt like we were grieving. That may sound excessive, but it accurately describes the mood.
“During the early weeks of the off-season, we supported one another and felt that the group needed to remain united. That left me feeling guilty when I had to choose between staying and moving on.”
McInnes understands why Hearts supporters were upset by his departure, having experienced similar disappointment when captain and top scorer Lawrence Shankland confirmed that he would join the Ibrox club.
“I remember feeling disappointed and deflated by that news. When I made a comparable decision only a few weeks later, I could appreciate why people reacted that way,” McInnes added.
“Whatever reception I receive, I will accept it, and some may believe I have earned it. Even so, it will never alter how much my time at Hearts meant to me.
“We believed we had been treated unfairly and ended the campaign convinced that the championship should have been ours.
“My ambition was to become a manager who claimed the title outside the Old Firm. Had several disputed decisions not gone against us, I believe we would have achieved that goal.”
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