Selected Manager's Comments 2023-24.... 

Dec 2nd on the Hearts Post-Match: "I'm disappointed because we put so much into the game. I thought we were the dominant team. Hearts score an unusual goal. It's such a poor goal from own point of view.  They're on a good run at the moment and they've got some good players but I thought it was very harsh on us. My team were good and we'll play a lot worse and win games this season. I'm not overly concerned as a manager in terms of our performance. I'm not here to put blame on anyone but it's a poor one (goal) to concede. By and large, we still had enough of the game to go and do something about it."  - Match Recap & YouTube Video -

Nov 25th 2023 on the Staggies Post-Match: "The whole adage about being tough to play against on the road is something we've been working toward this season. We've been better on the road this season, although we're still searching for that first win in the league. Ross County had the better of the first half, and we had the better of the second. The best players on the pitch were both sets of defenders. There was no quarter given, very committed performance from both sets of lads. Having Kyle Vassell back, even travelling, was a huge bonus. When he plays, we have more attacking threat. We had that second half, but we didn't do enough to win the game, but enough to take a point." - Match Recap & YouTube Video -

Nov 11th 2023 on the Hibs Post-Match: "I thought we were good in the first half. We picked a team to go and press them and I thought we did that. Hibs are a team of individuals - they can turn half chances into real chances. We wanted to try play the game in their half as much as we could, and the one thing we were guilty of was not making the most of our opportunities.  When they get the goal it changes things and the onus was on us to do something. Hibs were good enough to score a goal where we weren't so you have to credit them.  If we had a Martin Boyle it might have made the difference - we were good in the game but were just looking for that individual to give us a moment."   - Match Recap & YouTube Video -

Nov 6th 2023 On being named as the Scottish Premiership Month for October 2023: “It was important for us to maintain our strong home form in October and I’m pleased that we can reflect on two solid wins against Livingston and Aberdeen. The award is shared by my players and staff, recognising their efforts at this early stage of the season. As I said at the weekend, I really enjoy working with such a motivated squad, but I still feel that there is a bit more to come from them.” 

Nov 4th on the Well Post-Match: "We were [good value for the win]. We've got the job done. I thought we dominated possession. We lose our captain Kyle Vassell, obviously disappointing. It was great from big Innes [Cameron]. He led the line really well. He takes his goal well.  The team's in a good place." - Match Recap & YouTube Video -

Nov 1st 2023 on the Saints Post-Match: "We've had a lot of praise as of late, especially for the defensive part, our aggression, our competitiveness. We weren't competitive enough. We had two or three chances to clear for the first goal. We don't get tight enough. Nicky Clark follows the strike in like all good strikers. It was a horrible start by us. It was such an unusual start from us. Only positive when you concede early goals is you have plenty time to score and work a way into game. We weren't working the goalkeeper anywhere near enough. It was important we planted the seed of doubt in them. We huffed and puffed. Even when they went down to 10 men, it didn't do us any favours because they just camped in. The performance wasn't too bad overall, but the start was awful. We've got to recognise what we are as a team. We can't start any game like that. Once that ball rolls you've got to be that competitive animal." - Match Recap & YouTube Video -

Oct 29th on the Dons Post-Match: "I thought the opening part of the game it was two teams sussing each other out, I just thought we were a wee bit rushed at times. I thought our set plays were really good today, so I'm disappointed we did not manage to score off the back of that. We scored a very good goal on the stroke of half time and it's great to see both strikers getting on the scoresheet. I thought we were the better team in the first half, but you want something to show for that and thankfully we got something on the stroke of half time." -Match Recap & YouTube Video -

Oct 21st on the Livi Post-Match: "I thought we started strong in the game. We expected a tough match and knew we would have to lot of different aspects well, and I thought we did that.  We showed good composure, carried a threat and deservedly went in front. I love my centre-forwards scoring goals - [Vassell] has got two today and the front two were a handful the whole game. They gave us a real platform to play. What pleased me most was the response to the penalty kick - it was immediate and we set out to win the game today. We're fifth in the league and we want to hang about the top six for as long as we can. It's important not to get too carried away, but it's important that we win games like today. After a strong start, we stuttered a wee bit, but hopefully today is the start of a few more [wins]."  -Match Recap & YouTube Video -

Oct 7th on the Celtic Post-Match:  "I thought the VAR decision was correct. My first thought was that Hatate has gone down far too easily," McInnes blasted. "For me he’s waiting for contact. But I don’t think there was any contact. If I’m wrong then I’ll apologise. But for me it’s trying to buy a penalty and the referee has bought it as I thought he would. I thought, ‘he’s going to give a penalty here’ and he did. My heart sank and then VAR overturned it. But that’s far too easy to go down, far too easy from Hatate. That’s poor. The Killie boss also felt the Japanese midfielder had been offside in the build-up to the second goal scored by Luis Palma. He said: "Having seen the pictures for me it looks offside in the build-up when it bounces back off the Celtic player. So I’m disappointed with that as offside should be clear. When I saw it on the big screen I thought he was offside and when VAR were checking it I was expecting it to be chopped off. There might be better pictures in the VAR hub so any criticism of that at the minute is a wee bit contained as I’m just viewing it on the pictures that I’ve seen. I showed the referee the pictures that I’d seen. But they’re obviously dependent on the people in VAR looking at different angles. I saw an angle on my analyst’s laptop. Whether he’s a computer genius and has played around with the lines I don’t know. But it looked offside.”   -Match Recap & YouTube Video -
On the Rangers Job Speculation:   "I’m not talking about Rangers. I’ve just lost a game here at Celtic Park.”

Sep 30th on the Buddies Post-Match: "We put a lot into the game. A lot of credit to Brad Lyons, he was second favourite for his goal. He showed the determination that we're just needing a wee bit more of in the final third to score a goal. Terrific bravery. We just didn't enjoy being in front enough. We switch off in the wider area and the cross comes in from [Scott] Tanser. Tanser's been very influential for them in recent games and it's tough ask to continually match that. It's unfortunate, Kyle Magennis - he's doing his job, matching a run. Maybe a draw was a fair result. I thought we were the better team second half. I thought we had the better opportunities. I wouldn't say we were whole heartedly the better team."  -Match Recap & YouTube Video -

Sep 26th on the Hearts (Lge Cup) Post-Match:  "I thought we were terrific second half, we had to come from losing a disappointing goal.  Half time came at a good time, we tinkered with it, we put Matty Kennedy through the middle, effectively going with Danny [Armstrong] stretched out on one side and tried to occupy their centre backs a bit more.  We had four or five shots in the first five or six minutes of the second half and something we’ve been guilty of is not hitting the target enough, but I thought there was a real belief about us, I thought we dragged the cup tie to where we needed it to be and we get a deserved equaliser. We are guilty of naivety towards the end. We hit a diagonal free-kick that opens the pitch up when there’s no need to do it, it’s almost as if we were losing the game and we had to throw caution to the wind. We’ve paid the ultimate price."  -Match Recap & YouTube Video -

Sep 25th on the Hearts (Lge Cup) Pre-Match: "We have got to be a good cup team," the manager said as he looked forward to Tuesday's quarter-final at home to Heart of Midlothian. "We need to continue to be that. Even for the English-based lads coming up, it's different down the road. I played down the road and managed down there. Wembley is so far away and it's beyond the reach for so many teams and the cups are almost an inconvenience down there. Whereas here, when you get into the quarter-final stage and you are two games away from a cup final, it's important that we sniff it and take the opportunity that's there.  I keep saying that to the players, while we are working at Kilmarnock, let's go and do something that we can be remembered for. I want us to be that team, but we are going to have to put in a performance because, while Hearts haven't scored too many goals this season, they have certainly not conceded a lot either."

Sep 23rd on the Dee Post-Match: Del was .... "not convinced" that Dundee midfielder Josh Mulligan deserved to be sent off despite what he thought was a poor challenge. When they go down to 10 men, we are in charge of the game, but at 2-1 you are never there, Really disappointed to lose a goal from a set play. They have a fair size about them and we knew we'd have to stand up to them - that's British football. I thought we were really good in the game, first half. We arrived time and again in their box and we're a bit guilty of not putting the ball away. I thought my front two and two wide players were a handful. It's mad! I've been sent off before, but that was bizarre. I went and apologised to the referee there. I was convinced the ball was out! The ball boy's went missing second-half. I told the referee, I'm wrong, he has to send me off and I apologise. I'm hoping Sportscene can help me out there."  -Match Recap & YouTube Video -

Sep 16th on the Hibs Post-Match: "The response was terrific, everything I expect from my team. That's when you really need your team spirit and it was there in buckets. We score one, and it was a matter of time before the next one came. It's a great header from Joe [Wright]. We've missed that with him being out. I feel that another five minutes and we could go and win it.  We started poorly, but the way we finished the first half and for the rest of the game, I thought we were the better team. Our bravery, our commitment and our spirit got us a point, which was the least we deserved." -Match Recap & YouTube Video -

Sep 2nd on the Staggies Post-Match: "It's a perfectly good goal," he told BBC Scotland. "The referees will all tell you, we've got to let the phase of play run through.  The referee's apologised. He said he blew too early. He told me he wasn't expecting Stuart Findlay to score from there. We shouldn't expect the referee to blow. It's not his job to decide that he doesn't think someone's going to score from there. He should let the phase of play run. I don't know if he was apologising for giving the penalty that wasn't a penalty or apologising for the goal. But, equally both were bad decisions.  It should be a draw, there's no doubt about it. We have been so harshly treated. My club deserve better. We deserve better than that. It was clearly a mistake from Kevin.  It's compounded by us missing a penalty. It just felt a huge wrong, it felt wrong that we never got the goal. We should be getting at least a point for our efforts. Nobody's blaming Danny and he shouldn't feel any kind of real weight on his shoulders with that. He's normally spot on with his penalties. Anybody can miss a penalty."  -Match Recap & YouTube Video -

Aug 26th on the Well Post-Match: "Extremely disappointed. No two halves are ever the same but first half we were outstanding. We arrived a team in good form and our performance showed that. We deservedly go in front and we should have made more of our opportunities. We've got no divine right to come here and expect to control a game for 90 minutes. But I said to the players, if you can't find a way to win a game, don't lose it. That's why with the last kick of the ball, it's such a sore one to take." -Match Recap & YouTube Video -

Aug 20th on the Celtic (Lge Cup) Post-Match: "To beat such a top opponent at this stage of the season, you have to do a lot right,   I'm really pleased with everything I saw today. I thought we limited Celtic to very little. It's testament to the players in front of my goalkeeper, who, across three games, has faced two or three shots.  We dealt with the changes Celtic have the luxury of making really well and I'm delighted we're through to the next round of the cup tie. There's no point in beating Celtic if we don't go on to win it now. I've just said that to the boys. No one will remember this result if we don't go on and win it. We had a wee bit of an advantage over Celtic today. We looked a wee bit more together as a squad. They're still pitching towards where they want to be. We've got there a wee bit sooner than we thought and it's been a huge help today."  Match Recap & YouTube Video -

Aug 13th 2023 on the Hearts Post-Match: "It could have been more. We're not over-celebrating getting a point and a clean sheet. I'm celebrating the type of performance we put in. There is a sense of disappointment that we never scored, that would have given us something to hang on to. I didn't feel they stretched us too much. It's a good point. Not perfect, but we've made some big strides in the last few games." - Match Recap & YouTube Video -

Aug 5th 2023 on the Rangers Post-Match: "We had to show a different version of ourselves against the Old Firm this season. Rangers will get better, but I think we'll get better as well. Our level of performance had to be really good today, but we delivered that. It's a really strong start.. You've got to do so much right to beat a team of Rangers' quality, I think first and foremost the competitive edge had to be there in the team and that was there clearly in spades. I thought we, not only passed the ball well but we snuffed them out and didn't let them enjoy the game in there. Our intensity was really good. It's so important you strike the first blow when you play Rangers and have something to hold onto but also plant that seed of doubt because the supporters come here in huge numbers. The team have got to deal with that so we knew if we got in front we could have a real chance of getting the job done. I thought we were good throughout. By and large I don't think my keeper's had much to do, other than just come for a few crosses and that's testament to the work ahead of the back five and goalkeeper. Rangers will get better and I think we will get better." - Match Recap & YouTube Video -

July 29th on the Albion Rov's Post-Match: "I thought the players were terrific from the first minute, getting after the game. Sometimes it can feel a bit pre-seasony when you come away but you’ve got to make sure you take care of the game, it’s a cup tie that needed to be won. I thought we controlled the game and were very assured and professional.
On Kyle Vassell... “Hopefully he gets a good weeks work into him and gets himself ready for the Rangers game. We’re hoping to try and make another signing at centre forward, and maybe one more plus that too. If we can do that I’d be pleased with the amount of work that’s been done from the recruitment team and the board." - Match Recap & YouTube Video -

July 26th on the Raith Post-Match: “We got what we expected from Raith which was a tough game. The one thing they did do was play the ball quicker and attack the space behind us. We have to praise Raith for that. We scored a good goal ourselves and got in front but it was never comfortable. We spoke at half-time about their ability to regain possession and didn’t react well to losing a goal. It was as if the anxiety of the situation was there. A lack of composure rather than a lack of effort but we lost our way a bit. We wanted to take the opportunity that was there but if we win on Saturday we top the group.”  - Match Recap & YouTube Video -

July 22nd on the Pars Post-Match:  “We’re picking a team today on the basis of trying to win a cup tie, but also being mindful that we need to get boys minutes. I’m still trying to get those kind of relationships and a rhythm going, but while we’re working towards that it’s not a bad habit to be winning games and keeping clean sheets.” - Match Recap & YouTube Video -

July 18th on Squad Additions:  “Before the window closes I’d like five more signings potentially. The forward areas will be key. We’re working around the clock to get the best forwards that we can. We could easily have signed forwards by now and made us feel good about ourselves short term, but we’re trying to get the best ones possible.  It may pay dividends, it may not, but we’re working hard and the board have been really supportive to help us put a squad together that will help us meet the demands this season.

July 15th 2023 on the Annan Post-Match" (On Fraser Murray)   When I came in, Fraser was Player of the Year and as good as anyone in that Championship-winning team. He started last season injured and didn’t really get out of the traps. He’s looked fitter than anyone since coming back and earned his start today. He’s probably been one of our brightest sparks throughout pre-season and took his training performances into the game today. It was a nice finish and a great ball for big Innes’ goal. Good on him, he’s come back with a real determination and hopefully he can maintain that. We were over reliant on Danny to give us that spark last season. If Fraser can stay fit and keep doing what he is doing, then he has a real chance to make an impact for us this season.”  - Match Recap -

July 10th 2023: "We could've easily signed a host of more players, but we're trying to be really specific with the ones we want, I think we'll have another couple of signings in by the beginning of next week. 
European qualification was labelled as.... "the ultimate ambition" for the manager. "Words are cheap," he added. "It's what you do on and off the pitch that's the most important thing. But I don't see why we can't win a cup or push for European positions. That's what the objective will be this season."

June 30th 2023:  "I want to enjoy the season a lot more (than last season)  I'm confident we can make a far better fist of things. The form we showed in the last nine or 10 games was the form we want to show much more.  Our starting point [last season] was way back. This time I've got a head of recruitment and a recruitment team in place. We're getting the shape of the squad moving together, but there's no time to stop and pat our backs. There's more work to do."

June 1st 2023 on Next Term's Squad Planning: “I’d like to work with a tighter squad, I think we had too many last season, not through any fault of our own it’s just the way it was. We’d like to work with four or five less and give encouragement to the younger guys, the likes of David Watson and Bobby Wales came through this season giving encouragement to some of the academy players coming through.  We’re predominantly looking to strengthen the starting XI, we want to be as strong as we possibly can be and have that healthy competition throughout the squad. Over the last couple of days, we’ve had a lot of difficult conversations and decisions to make as it is for every manager at this stage of a season, particularly with lads who have done well for me and this club. Either part of a Championship winning team or playing their part in keeping a team up, but I think, like everything, there is a recognition we need to try and change things. The demand changes on me and the club next season. The demand is still to stay in the league, but we want to look further afield now and be 12 or 13 points better off. If we can do that, it gets you into the region of the top six and Europe, which is what we have to try and do. So, there is a lot of pressure on the recruitment part of it and I feel we are more ready to deal with that than last season.”