He took Aberdeen to Hampden so many times that it was almost like a second home. League Cup finals in 2013-14, 2016-17, 2018-19 and a Scottish Cup final in 2016-17.
Celtic were his nemesis, and nobody could blame him for losing to them, but McInnes also lost cup ties to Dundee United, Hibs, St Johnstone, Dundee, Hearts, Motherwell, Hearts again, St Mirren, Motherwell again and United again.
Since he last won a trophy with a Premiership club, St Johnstone, Inverness, Hibs, St Johnstone again and Aberdeen have all won the Scottish Cup and Ross County, St Johnstone and St Mirren have won the League Cup.
There’s a long list of managers, outside of the Old Firm, who have done so – Tommy Wright, John Hughes, Alan Stubbs, Callum Davidson (twice), Jimmy Thelin, Jim McIntyre and Stephen Robinson.
There’s still a touch of the nearly man about McInnes. His battles with Martin O’Neill at Celtic and with whoever ends at Tynecastle will be compelling.
Hearts turned out to be a stepping stone, the job he wanted at the time, not the job he has wanted for all-time. He has his chance now, the one he’s been waiting for.
