McInnes Committed to Hearts Amid Rangers Speculation
Derek McInnes has reaffirmed his commitment to Hearts, dismissing speculation about a potential move to Rangers as they seek a replacement for Russell Martin. Speaking to Sky Sports News, McInnes emphasized that his focus remains firmly on his current role, where he has successfully guided the team to the top of the Scottish Premiership this season.
The 54-year-old manager’s record is impressive; he remains unbeaten in the league and has recently secured back-to-back Premiership Manager of the Month awards. McInnes expressed satisfaction with his work at Tynecastle Park and highlighted his aspirations for the team.
“My job here is firmly at Hearts. I’m really enjoying it here,” McInnes stated. He added, “We feel we’ve started something now and we want to try and make sure we follow up a strong start to the season. Maintain it and see where it takes us.”
Hearts currently sit two points clear of Celtic at the top of the table, with a highly anticipated match against their rivals scheduled for next month. McInnes believes the team’s position is well-deserved, asserting that their performance reflects their hard work thus far. “You’d have to say in the games that we’ve played, I think the outcome has been what it should have been,” he noted.
The manager acknowledged the expectations from the Hearts supporters, which include improving upon last season’s performance and challenging for European qualification. He stated, “The expectations of the Hearts support was to make a better first team than we were last season. To be in and around the top end of the league and try to challenge for European spots.”
Despite the early stages of the season, with only seven league games played, McInnes remains optimistic. He conveyed enthusiasm about the potential for further improvement, saying, “As a staff and as a set of players, I think we feel there’s a bit more in us and hopefully that’s to come.”
Former player Kris Boyd, now a pundit, commented on the speculation surrounding McInnes’s potential move to Rangers. He described each managerial appointment as a risk but argued that McInnes would be a less risky option due to his proven track record. Boyd referred to McInnes’s successful tenure at Aberdeen and his ability to elevate Kilmarnock from the championship to European competition.
Boyd remarked, “I’ve said it before regarding players in Scotland, Rangers have had a snobbery towards signing Scottish players recently and it seems to be the same with managers.” He emphasized the importance of finding a leader who can restore the club’s competitive edge, suggesting that McInnes is the right fit for the challenge.
As Hearts continue their season, McInnes remains focused on achieving success at the club. He understands the hard work required to maintain their strong start and is determined to push for continued progress. “Anything we get we’ve worked really hard for. We’re going to have to continue to work hard to bring any sort of success here,” he concluded.
