Tetchy handshake typifies McInnes' 'topsy-turvy' Tynecastle return

Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken spent his pre-match interview calling for focus and insisting he would "not be getting busy" with the tensions surrounding Rangers boss Derek McInnes' hostile return to Tynecastle.

By the end of the first half, the Belgian was in the referee's book before getting involved with a frosty handshake and exchange of words with his counterpart after a thrilling 2-2 draw .

Vrancken being swept up with the emotion told the story of a captivating encounter, which his depleted side looked set to win after fighting back from a goal down.

But a late Olwethu Makhanya header rescued a point for McInnes, who played the pantomime villain on a night that typified the Scottish Premiership's box-office drama.

Asked about the tetchy post-match handshake between the managers, the Rangers boss responded with tongue in cheek.

"I thought [Vrancken] was going to thank me for leaving him such a strong squad," McInnes told BBC Scotland. "He's been very lucky to inherit such a strong squad of players."

Makhanya rescues Rangers on hostile Hearts return for McInnes

McInnes admits 'guilt' over Hearts exit for Rangers

After admitting he felt "guilt" over his summer exit to Rangers after taking Hearts to within minutes of the title, McInnes accepted he was in for a tasty return.

"It was exactly what I thought it would be," he said of his reception. "It's football, it's Scottish football."

The 55-year-old still hopes "history can be kind" regarding his relationship with Hearts fans after a brief but memorable tenure in Gorgie.

His immediate concern, however, will be addressing the faults of a disjointed display as Saturday's League Cup semi-final with former club Aberdeen looms.

McInnes said his side were fortunate to go into the break ahead after Kevin Kelsy's opener came from slack Hearts play and lamented a lack of control in a "very topsy-turvy game".

"We scored a brilliant goal but didn't do that enough," the Rangers manager added.

"I don't think any team really grabbed the game and controlled the game, but I think Hearts had more opportunities to play in our half.

"When we did get a chance to transition on them, we never quite looked after the ball well enough.

"The top end of my side, they're very young and sometimes they need to come through these types of games and atmospheres, but we have to say we didn't play to our level."

Vrancken hails fighting spirit of depleted Hearts

For Vrancken, the Hearts boss was unsure what was behind the awkward post-match exchange. "You have to ask him," he said of McInnes.

The 47-year-old was also unclear of the severity of makeshift full-back Rogers Mato's first-half injury, which could potentially add to a long list of absentees with Sunday's League Cup semi-final against rivals Hibernian next up.

Although Vrancken was left disappointed by the decision to award Rangers the free-kick that led to their late leveller, he hailed the fight of his depleted team, who were relentless in their fightback and looked the fitter side despite a hectic schedule.

"We've lost two points. We deserved to win," he told BBC Scotland. "We played a really good first half, made a little mistake and it cost us. After that we made up for it with the performance.

"This team keeps believing, when you see the situation we are in. We have extra games, one day less recovery, all those things matter.

"When you see them battle and fight for each other, that's the pleasure I have as a coach."