Derek McInnes Warns: Don’t Underestimate Hearts in Scottish Premiership Title Race
In a recent statement, Hearts head coach Derek McInnes emphasized the importance of not underestimating his team in the Scottish Premiership title race. Despite a challenging 4-2 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox, which narrowed Hearts’ lead to just two points, McInnes remains optimistic about the remaining games.
Derek McInnes on Title Challenge
Hearts currently stand at the top of the Scottish Premiership with 11 matches left this season. McInnes believes his squad has “a brilliant opportunity” to maintain their position. He remarked, “We’ve always expected a fight and it’s up to us to make the most of the situation.”
Upcoming Fixtures
Hearts’ next match is set for Saturday against Falkirk at Tynecastle Park, where they have had an unbeaten record in the league this season. McInnes pointed out that four of their next six pre-split games will be played at home, and many involve teams currently in the lower half of the table.
- Falkirk (H) – Saturday
- Aberdeen (H) – February 28
- Kilmarnock (A) – March 14
- Dundee (H) – March 21
- Livingston (A) – April 4
- Motherwell (H) – April 11
The Pressure of the Title Race
As the season progresses, McInnes has noted that pressure may increase for the teams chasing Hearts. Referring to a historical perspective, he mentioned that it has been 41 years since a team outside Celtic and Rangers was seriously considered for the league title.
He expressed confidence in his team’s ability to handle the challenges ahead, stating, “We want to keep the form that we’ve shown thus far. If we maintain our consistency, we can stay in the mix.” McInnes reiterated the importance of focusing on their own performance rather than the competition.
Concluding Thoughts
McInnes remains firm in his belief that dismissing Hearts would be a mistake. With a strong home record and vital fixtures approaching, he urges everyone to recognize the potential for success within his squad. “We’re still sitting on top of the league,” he summarized, “and we have the chance to capitalize on upcoming opportunities.”
