Derek McInnes Backs Hearts to Compete with Old Firm Heavyweights in Title Race
Hearts manager Derek McInnes has expressed confidence in his side’s ability to challenge Celtic and Rangers for the Scottish Premiership title, pointing to their superior record against top six opposition as evidence they can go the distance.
The Tynecastle club currently sit three points clear at the summit with seven matches remaining, having accumulated 30 points from 42 available against fellow top half sides. This compares favourably to Rangers’ 22 points from 42 and Celtic’s 22 from 45, with Hearts having taken seven points from nine against the champions and six from nine against their Glasgow rivals.
McInnes acknowledges the financial gulf between his squad and the Old Firm, describing Celtic manager Martin O’Neill as the best in the league and noting Rangers’ significant investment in talent. However, he believes his team’s head to head superiority provides genuine cause for optimism as the season reaches its climax.
“We’re aware that we’re up against two heavyweights,” McInnes said. “We’re up against the best manager of the league, Martin O’Neill, his experience and his know-how and everything that they’ve got under their belt. Rangers have spent a huge amount of money to put that squad together and they’re clearly talented players, so we’re up against that. But I’m confident. We’ve got the best record against any of the top six teams. Our record stands out alone.”
The international break offers a timely opportunity for McInnes to welcome back key personnel. Captain Lawrence Shankland and midfielder Cammy Devlin both returned from injury during Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Dundee, with Shankland’s 35 minute cameo proving influential. The manager hopes to build the striker’s fitness towards a starting berth against Livingston on Sunday week.
Further reinforcements are expected with Craig Halkett, Harry Milne, Tomas Magnusson and Stephen Kingsley all nearing returns. McInnes plans to utilise the break for intensive training at the Oriam base, including an internal 11 versus 11 match to provide competitive minutes for those not on international duty. The squad will also travel to Spain for a warm weather training camp during the Scottish Cup semi final weekend next month.
With belief restored following last weekend’s triumph, McInnes is targeting maximum points against bottom side Livingston to maintain their advantage at the top.