TYNECASTLE, SCOTLAND – Hearts manager Derek McInnes is attempting to downplay any mounting pressure as his side navigate a challenging period in the Scottish Premiership title race. Despite a recent stumble at St Mirren, Hearts remain at the summit, but the chasing pack – Rangers and Celtic – are closing the gap, setting up a crucial run of fixtures.
The defeat in Paisley, coupled with a spate of red cards in recent weeks – goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow, midfielder Beni Beningime, and most recently centre-half Craig Halkett – has raised questions about Hearts’ discipline and ability to maintain their position atop the league. McInnes, however, insists the red cards are a matter of concentration rather than a systemic disciplinary issue.
“We are top of the league for a reason – because we have been good,” McInnes stated. “We have to be honest and say, going down to 10 men the other night, made the whole evening far more challenging than it needed to be. When we have lost this season, it’s been by the odd goal or penalty kicks. The bar’s been raised and everybody expects so much from us in every game.”
Hearts currently hold a three-point lead over Rangers, with Celtic a further three points back, though both Glasgow clubs have a game in hand. The landscape of the title race is shifting, and McInnes acknowledges the need for continued improvement. A slip-up on Tuesday against an opponent yet to be named could see Rangers leapfrog Hearts into first place 24 hours later, should they secure a victory away to Motherwell.
Despite the tightening competition, McInnes is keen to project an air of calm within the squad. “We’ve been top of the league for four and a half months, so no extra anxiety,” he said. “Every game is important. We’ve got 13 cup finals. We’ve got three home games out of the next four. We’ve had some tough fixtures and we have some good fixtures coming up for us to show our strength.”
The Hearts boss attributes some of the recent struggles to a lack of energy stemming from changes to the starting lineup due to injuries. However, he is cautious about immediately thrusting recent signings – record signing Eduardo Ague, and January arrivals Rogers Mato and Islam Chesnokov – into the team.
“I get the clamour for these players to be involved,” McInnes admitted. “There is nobody more excited when you sign players and a manager wants to bring players who are ready, but they’re not ready and we’re trying hard to get them ready. When you sign players in January when their leagues finish in November then it’s difficult to get them up to speed and Scottish football is more intense, but hopefully they can have a positive influence between now and the end of the season.”
McInnes’s comments come against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny of Scottish officiating. Just last month, he found himself at the center of controversy following remarks about perceived bias in refereeing decisions, specifically suggesting that Celtic players rarely receive domestic red cards. These comments prompted a call for investigation from former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant, who accused McInnes of applying “pressure tactics on officials.”
, while managing Kilmarnock, McInnes openly celebrated a penalty awarded against Rangers, a team that had gone 74 league games without conceding one. He later remarked he was “delighted to finally get a penalty at Ibrox,” a comment widely interpreted as a jab at the perceived preferential treatment Rangers receive from referees. The penalty was awarded by John Beaton, the same official who was in charge of the recent match where Auston Trusty of Hearts was sent off.
The incident with Trusty marked Hearts’ first domestic red card in nearly two years, a statistic McInnes highlighted as further evidence of inconsistent officiating. However, Grant challenged McInnes to provide specific examples of Celtic players who should have been sent off this season, questioning the validity of his claims.
Despite the external noise and the intensifying title race, McInnes remains focused on maintaining Hearts’ momentum. He acknowledges the need for improvement but insists his team is enjoying the challenge of leading the league. The coming weeks will be a true test of Hearts’ credentials, as they attempt to navigate a difficult schedule and fend off the advances of Rangers, and Celtic.
Hearts’ success this season has been a surprise to many, particularly given their bottom-six finish last term. McInnes’s arrival, coupled with strategic recruitment aided by Jamestown Analytics, has transformed the team’s fortunes. However, the manager is under no illusions about the task ahead, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement to stay ahead of the Old Firm.
The club is reportedly resisting any approaches from Rangers for McInnes, who was previously linked with the Ibrox job before Russell Martin’s appointment. Hearts are said to be “relaxed” about their manager’s position, indicating their commitment to the project he is building at Tynecastle.
