Hearts sit five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, according to multiple reports, marking a remarkable turnaround from last season. The Edinburgh side are 27 points better off than they were at the same stage a year ago, a surge that has put them in contention for a first league title since 1960. Hearts have won three and lost three of their last six Premiership games, according to reports, indicating some inconsistency despite their lofty position.
Manager Derek McInnes believes Hearts' success is due to stability at the club, not just poor form from Rangers and Celtic. "What we've had here is certainty, real stability. That helps in football. It helps if you're stable in the boardroom, if you're stable in the dressing room," McInnes said in a press conference. He acknowledged that both Rangers and Celtic have had difficulties this season, including changes of managers and directors, but insisted that does not diminish Hearts' efforts. "I understand people saying that. I genuinely get it. If Rangers and Celtic are spending their money wisely, everything's going well and they are all singing and dancing, then it is difficult. But I don't think it dilutes our efforts. No way," he added. McInnes refused to talk about regret, saying he fully believes Hearts will have a special end to the season. "I don't want to talk about regrets because it's as if it's going to end up in disappointment. I fully believe we are going to have a special end to the season and I'm totally committed to that," he said.
I understand people saying that. I genuinely get it. If Rangers and Celtic are spending their money wisely, everything's going well and they are all singing and dancing, then it is difficult. But I don't think it dilutes our efforts. No way. The points tally to win the league will probably be there or thereabouts from what would win a league in the past. What we've had here is certainty, real stability. That helps in football. It helps if you're stable in the boardroom, if you're stable in the dressing room. You look at both Rangers and Celtic and they've had difficulties this season. Despite the advantages of money, they've had changes of managers, changes of directors, changes of sporting directors, changes in key positions. But I don't want to talk too much about them. What we've had, to our benefit and in contrast to that, is stability. And I think that helps a football club. We just need to concentrate on ourselves. Regardless of whether any other team, not just Rangers and Celtic, are doing their jobs as well as they can or not, then we've just got to try and do ours.
Captain Lawrence Shankland returned to the first team as a second-half substitute in a 1-0 win over Dundee after two months out, according to multiple reports. His comeback, along with Cammy Devlin's return to full training, has given the squad a boost. McInnes said: "It was a significant blow when both lads went out of the team. With them coming back in, the players will get a boost and I think the support will get a boost. Lawrence, for me, was the best striker in the league up until he went out of the team and Cammy was arguably the best midfielder in the league, so it's good to have both boys back at such a crucial time." Shankland urged his teammates to be leaders and drive each other towards the title. "I think when you're on the pitch and you're the type of person that demands it from people, it can help drive that. Some people see it as moany. I see it as demanding. You can demand service, you can ask questions of your team-mates to find you. The more leaders we have on the pitch will obviously help that and drive the standards with regard to the way we want to play as well," Shankland said. He added that the squad will get stronger as injured players return, and that belief will grow as long as they keep winning.
McInnes expressed disappointment that no Hearts players were called up to the Scotland squad for friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast. "Surprised, probably not. Disappointed, yeah, absolutely. I think we've been a really strong team this season and there's been key players within it," he said. He acknowledged that his opinion does not matter and that only Steve Clarke's opinion counts, but he believes he has players who have earned the opportunity. "I do think I've got players that have earned the opportunity to be part of an international set-up, but hopefully the lads' motivation keeps going, they keep doing well and hopefully in time they get there, that's the hope," McInnes added. Clarke had previously said the Hearts team might be better than the sum of its parts, a comment that riled supporters. The specific players McInnes believes deserved a call-up have not been named.
Surprised, probably not. Disappointed, yeah, absolutely. I think we've been a really strong team this season and there's been key players within it. My opinion doesn't matter, I don't really like people telling me what players to pick in my team, and the only opinion that matters is Steve's, but it doesn't mean to say I think he's right with it. I do think I've got players that have earned the opportunity to be part of an international set-up, but hopefully the lads' motivation keeps going, they keep doing well and hopefully in time they get there, that's the hope. I speak to the lads regularly about it and I do believe we have players who could represent the country, there's no question of that to me. So, while there's disappointment that they're not in this squad, you all know how things can change and, whether it's through injury or whatever, players get opportunities. There's enough motivation for them to get on with here but, if there's any added motivation to try and be part of a World Cup squad then, of course, it can only help. They'll probably be a bit disappointed, but you soon have to refocus on what we're doing here. Their performances for us over the season is what will get them in and maybe, hopefully, that will be the case in time.
Former West Brom manager Gary Megson recalled a story about Derek McInnes leading a protest photo after West Brom's promotion in 2002. According to Megson, the board wanted a photo with the team despite tensions behind the scenes. "There were lots of things going on behind the scenes. The board wanted to run the club in a different way and I couldn't understand it. They weren't happy - even though we got promoted! There was no champagne laid on by the club. It was ridiculous; a real dampener, as if we'd done something wrong," Megson said. When the players learned who would be in the photo, McInnes came to Megson to say they would not do it. Megson told him each player who refused would be fined two weeks' wages, so McInnes agreed to do the photo but said they would not smile. "They did it under sufferance and ALL refused to smile! To this day, I've never seen that photo. It never made it. I hope if Hearts manage to stay top in Scotland, they know how to celebrate - I'm sure they will!" Megson added.
I don't want to talk about regrets because it's as if it's going to end up in disappointment. I fully believe we are going to have a special end to the season and I'm totally committed to that. I see it, I think we can do it, I think we can be really strong right through the line. I want the players to play with confidence and not think about that, just go and try and make the most of the opportunity that's there for us.
It was a significant blow when both lads went out of the team. With them coming back in, the players will get a boost and I think the support will get a boost. Lawrence, for me, was the best striker in the league up until he went out of the team and Cammy was arguably the best midfielder in the league, so it's good to have both boys back at such a crucial time. Watching them training this week has been great, it looks as if they've not been away.
There were lots of things going on behind the scenes. The board wanted to run the club in a different way and I couldn't understand it. They weren't happy - even though we got promoted! There was no champagne laid on by the club. It was ridiculous; a real dampener, as if we'd done something wrong. When the players came back in on the Monday, the board decided they wanted a photo with the team. They wanted their part of it, which was typical. Players got their strips on, then got wind of who was coming on the photos. Derek came to see me to say: We're not doing it. I fully understood; I'd be the same myself. But I said each one who doesn't do it will be fined two weeks wages. Derek then said: Right, we're doing the photo but we're not smiling. They did it under sufferance and ALL refused to smile! To this day, I've never seen that photo. It never made it. I hope if Hearts manage to stay top in Scotland, they know how to celebrate - I'm sure they will!