Celtic have lost eight league games, with interim manager Martin O’Neill conceding any more dropped points would make it “difficult – but not impossible” for the defending champions.
While Rangers can knock Hearts off top spot for the first time since September on Saturday, McInnes says it would be “foolish” to rule out the club, who have celebrated 13 of the past 14 titles.
Asked if he still viewed Celtic as a threat, McInnes responded: “One hundred per cent. You wouldn’t discount a Martin O’Neill Celtic team at any juncture.
“They’re a good side, they’ve got good players and they’ve been over the course. I think they’ve got a fantastic manager.
“There’s still a lot of football to be played and I think anybody ruling Celtic out would be foolish.”
As Hearts chase a first title since 1960, McInnes argued that no other team in Europe is upsetting the odds in the same way.
“We’ve been elevated into a position that probably nobody thought we could be at this stage of the season,” he said.
“When you look across Europe, for a team to have the disparity in wages and spending power against the other two [Celtic and Rangers], it’s so unusual.
“We’re there, we’re enjoying it and we just need to try and keep maintaining our good work for the rest of the campaign.”
