Heart of Midlothian

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Should Hearts fans be worried about losing Derek McInnes to Scotland this summer?

Steve Clarke's contract as national team boss expires after the World Cup, by which time Hearts could well be Premiership champions.

McInnes, in his first season at the helm, has led the Tynecastle side five points clear at the top with just nine games to play.

The Hearts boss has been aided by Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, as well as investment from the Brighton owner, but Liam Corbett of the This Is My Story podcast, says McInnes deserves more credit.

"Jamestown's great, we've had two shots of Jamestown's but we've only had seven months of Derek McInnes," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Look at what he achieved with Aberdeen over eight years. That's what I'm the most excited about, that's what I was the most excited about at the start of the season and now that's all three of them working in harmony and I think we've seen the best out of all of them.

"The recruitment's been great but Derek McInnes is the one that's getting the best out of those players.

"I know he gets pats on the back but I don't think he gets anywhere near enough credit for the job he's done so far."

While Corbett isn't worried about further English interest in McInnes, who stressed his commitment to Hearts in January when linked with Leicester City, he has concerns over the Scotland job.

"Whatever happens in the summer, I think that's probably the one that could potentially turn his head, depending on what happens in the World Cup and what Steve Clarke decides," he said.

"I think he feels he should probably have had more respect across the board in Scotland with what he did with Aberdeen, what he's achieved with Kilmarnock and now what he's achieved with Hearts.

"If he starts to win trophies and titles, he won't leave that. You can see what he's like, it would have to take a monumental offer for him to move, and it would have to be the right project."

Former Hearts midfielder Ryan Stevenson thinks if the Tyencastle club beat Kilmarnock on Saturday, the Scottish Premiership title is all but secured.

Derek McInnes' side are currently five points clear at the top with nine games remaining.

On paper, Hearts - who have only lost four of 29 games - look to have the easier run to the split of the title contenders. After the Rugby Park trip, McInnes' men complete their pre-split fixtures with home games against Dundee and Motherwell either side of a trip to Livingston.

"They're never going to win the league by only beating certain teams," Stevenson told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"What they've done the full season is be consistent. Any time they've had a blip, which they were always going to have, they've answered it with a positive performance and a win.

"The first blip they had, everybody thought the wheels would fall off and they didn't.

"The manager does not allow you to fester, he does not allow you to get in your own head. Hearts, for me, are the only team out of Hearts, Rangers and Celtic that look assured and accomplished.

"They've looked assure in all their performances, even when they haven't played well. Nine games now, it is absolutely nothing. I don't see them going into the split and losing to both Rangers and Celtic.

"Getting through the Kilmarnock game, which is a tough game. After the break of 10/11 days, if Hearts can go down to Rugby Park and put in a professional performance, get three points, you're then at eight games. I just do not see them losing.

"I think Saturday is so pivotal. They've been great, they've beaten all the teams around them and that's the only way you win leagues."

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

It's strange to think that despite Hearts not being in action during the past 10 days, we emerged from the weekend stronger than we started it.

I know cup competitions are a break from the league campaign, and each round is a one‑off game, but anyone who endured that Old Firm quarter‑final will tell you both sides are not in great shape.

Concentrating purely on the footballing aspect of that match, both sets of supporters were unhappy with how their side fared and have cause for concern heading into the final couple of months of the league season.

As a Hearts supporter, I'm quite happy for the narrative to be peddled that both Glasgow sides are the 'worst version' of themselves and are playing poorly. With that comes additional scrutiny.

It also allows us to go about our business and take care of each game as it comes in the background.

We have a five‑point lead with nine games remaining and are the makers of our own destiny. People might want to apply pressure or try to unnerve Derek McInnes' side, but we'll simply continue to do what we've done since late September and be content for the focus to remain on the downfall of other teams rather than how well Hearts have consistently played this campaign.

Jambos are one of the most reactionary fanbases, but I feel we're quite grounded heading into the next couple of months, and that is reflected in the messages McInnes continues to deliver when speaking to the media.

There's also a good portion of the support that remembers Dens Park 40 years ago - even I know all about it and wasn't even born - so we've learned not to count our chickens before they hatch.

We've got a tough match at Kilmarnock on Saturday evening and, despite their struggles in recent weeks, they'll pose a difficult challenge. I'd gladly accept a scrappy 1-0 victory.

Hopefully Cammy Devlin is fit enough to make the bench and perhaps make his comeback from injury in the second half to add some steel and energy.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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A lot has been made of Hearts' good record against top-six opposition this season.

As we approach the split, Hearts are five points ahead of Celtic, six ahead of Rangers and ten clear of dark horses Motherwell.

However, there are still four games to go before the split begins and, as we saw in the only Premiership game over the weekend, there is no margin for error.

Motherwell were unbeaten in nine league games when they turned up to Dens Park, and many would have predicted another victory for Jens Berthel Askou's impressive side.

But Dundee are no pushovers under Steven Pressley and that proved to be the case, as Fin Robertson slotted home a dramatic late winner for the hosts and dealt Motherwell's unlikely title changes a potentially fatal blow.

So what can Hearts learn from this?

Simple. There is no room for complacency in their next four fixtures, even if they look particularly winnable on paper.

First up, it's Kilmarnock away from home. The second bottom side, struggling in a relegation scrap. They're way down there in the form table, too, so an easy three points, surely?

Unlikely. A 3-0 win over Aberdeen and a 4-3 win over St Mirren show they can score plenty in front of their own supporters, while the 3-2 loss to Celtic had them two goals ahead before a late rally from Martin O'Neill's side.

Add into the mix Hearts' current injury crisis. There will be no Lawrence Shankland, no Stuart Findlay, no Stephen Kingsley, and no Ageu against Killie. There might be returns for Oisin McEntee and Cammy Devlin, but they won't be fully fit.

After that, it's Dundee at home. The form team in the bottom six. Nine points from their last six games have soothed any lingering doubts about Premiership survival and they have gone from strength to strength.

Looking back at last year, a 1-0 loss to Dundee at Tynecastle in the first game of the split proved to be the undoing of Neil Critchley. He was sacked in the aftermath. There will be no such drama this time, but will the fixture again prove a sliding doors moment?

The penultimate pre-split game is Livingston away. We've seen what Marvin Bartley's side are capable of on their day, just look at the 2-2 draw with Rangers. In August, it took Hearts until the 91st minute to find a winner through Alexandros Kyziridis.

But, this is a side rock bottom of the league, seven adrift with just one win in the league. Yes, they're fighting for their survival, but Hearts are fighting for a title.

Finally, the toughest of the lot. Motherwell at home. This could be the game it all hinges on. Points lost, ground made up, a door left ajar for their Glasgow rivals? Anything could happen.

How does Derek McInnes play it? Does he play to Hearts strengths, or try to negate Motherwell's entertaining, one-touch play? Should he try and bully the midfield, akin to the likes of St Mirren and Dundee, who got positive results with that method?

Only the head coach will know. But it's fair to say there won't have been as much riding on a Hearts v Motherwell game for a very long time.

Manager Derek McInnes says Hearts' "budget's going to be the same more or less next season" and believes the Tynecastle outfit are "only going to get better as a club". (Record), external

Celtic top scorer Benjamin Nygren feels there is enough time for the defending champions to catch league leaders Hearts in the title race. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Leaders Hearts are the only team yet to concede a penalty in the Scottish Premiership this season.

The Tynecastle side have been awarded three spot-kicks of their own, scoring three and missing one. Lawrence Shankland missed one and netted two, with Alexandros Kyziridis scoring the other.

Derek McInnes' men have conceded the second fewest fouls (319) in the top flight and went the first 20 games of the season without receiving a red card.

They then racked up three in the following five league matches, with Alexander Schwolow, Beni Baningime and Craig Halkett the players sent off.

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Former skipper Christophe Berra is convinced "incredible" Hearts can hold their nerve during the run-in and complete the biggest title upset of the modern era.

Following Celtic's win at Aberdeen on Wednesday night, Hearts are five points clear of the defending champions and six above Rangers with nine games remaining.

"I think the pressure will be on now," Berra told BBC Scotland. "Within the club, they know they've got a real good chance. They've been incredible all season.

"They've only lost four games. They are unbeaten at home and have managed to keep winning games despite losing some key players, especially Lawrence Shankland.

"They just keep on chalking those games off and there's only nine to go. It's definitely theirs to lose now. "

Derek McInnes' side are bidding to end the Old Firm's 41-year stranglehold on the title and become top-flight champions for the first time since 1960.

"It's been so long since a team other than the Old Firm have been genuine contenders at this stage, let alone title winners," added former defender Berra.

"And we know that financial gulf is still enormous between the top two and the rest.

"It was always going to be an uphill battle but this year a lot of things have fallen into place. Hearts have a strong squad, they've recruited well, and Celtic and Rangers are not the Celtic and Rangers of old.

"In Scottish football, a lot of people outside of the Old Firm I think are rooting for Hearts. Even some Hibs fans maybe will actually... I take that back. I think they might all leave the country for a couple of months if Hearts win the league.

"But change is good. It happened down south with Leicester before and this is the biggest opportunity for a long time - Hearts have to grasp it. I think in the modern era it would be the biggest upset."

While McInnes is a vastly experienced manager, Berra reckons the 54-year-old will find leading a title charge with Hearts "surreal".

"It'll be new to him as well. Obviously, at the top of the league, there is going to be pressure, more so from the outside," he added.

"But they've been handling the pressure exceptionally well and I don't see why that will change."

Hearts could eventually claim £2m from 16-year-old Keir McMeekin's imminent transfer to Manchester City, with the Scotland Under-17 midfielder poised to sign a pre-contract agreement before a summer move to the Premier League side. (Mail), external

Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Influential midfielder Cammy Devlin could return for Hearts' Premiership trip to Kilmarnock next weekend, says head coach Derek McInnes.

The Australia international has been out since mid-January with an ankle injury, while striker Lawrence Shankland, defender Stephen Kingsley and midfielder Oisin McEntee are also currently sidelined.

But McInnes is hopeful Devlin could be back in action for the league leaders sooner than expected while McEntee will be ready next weekend.

"Oisin will be back for Kilmarnock definitely," McInnes told HeartsTV.

"Cammy has taken a step forward in the last couple of days. He had a little injection on Friday just to try and clear a little bit of irritation. I think that's helped.

"Cammy seems to think he's got a chance for Kilmarnock, it'll probably be more likely Dundee [on 21 March]. But while he's got that in his head, we're not going to rule that out for him at the minute.

"So it'll be good to have Oisin back and even better if Cammy can make himself available for that.

"Kingsley and Lawrence will hopefully be back before Dundee."

McInnes was quick to praise midfielder Marc Leonard, who joined in January on loan from Birmingham City and has been filling in for the absent Devlin.

"Marc Leonard has been the one player who's come in in January and been a mainstay," McInnes added.

"That says a lot about him. He's got real confidence, he reminds me a wee bit of Kenny McLean when I had him at Aberdeen. I think he's going to have a real top career and be a future Scotland international."

With nine games remaining Hearts are on course on become the first non-Old Firm side to win the title in over 40 years - but McInnes insists it is not now or never for the Tynecastle men.

"I don't think that's factually correct," he said. "We feel as if we're going to get better as we go on.

"I think what we've got is that in every transfer window we'll improve and hopefully this is something that becomes normal for us, not just every 40 years challenging for the title.

"It pleases me that we're relevant still at this stage, it pleases me with how long we've been top of the league and regardless of how the season plays out we'll be really pleased with our work.

"But now with the games to go it's important we try and maximise our opportunity."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

When Falkirk knocked Hearts out of the Scottish Cup on penalties in mid-January, there were a few moans and groans from the stands that another opportunity for silverware had gone.

But ask those same supporters now whether they would have traded a cup run for their current league position and you won't find many takers.

Who would have believed that, with just nine games left, Hearts would be sitting so commandingly in the table? Beyond Tynecastle Park, whispers are growing louder that history may yet be rewritten.

The four fixtures before the split will be pivotal, yet Derek McInnes and his players can approach them with real confidence.

Across eight league meetings this season with Kilmarnock, Dundee, Livingston and Motherwell, Hearts remain unbeaten - five wins and three draws underlining their consistency.

Indeed, Motherwell are the only side Hearts have yet to defeat this season, a quirk that adds extra intrigue to the run-in.

The enforced pause, brought about by that cup exit to Falkirk, may yet prove a blessing in disguise. Several players have been nursing bumps and bruises and this break offers a timely chance to rest and reset before Hearts head to Killie a week on Saturday.

And with both Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland reportedly making strong progress in their recoveries, supporters can afford to enjoy the breather.

What lies ahead could be a run-in to remember.

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Claudio Braga has opened up on the Hearts' dressing room, revealing which player "scared" him when he arrived in Edinburgh and which player reminds him of a "five-year-old".

Speaking on the Scottish Football Social Club, external, the Portuguese forward was grilled on his team-mates.

"Craig Halkett, you look at him and he's always so serious," Braga said. "When I came, I was scared of him because every time he joked, he didn't look like he was joking. I would think 'Damn, I've messed up.'

"With Cammy [Devlin], he's just annoying. He's a little guy who is trying to make everyone mad, in a funny way. He fines me all the time. Him and Halkett are the fines guys and they fine me a lot. I hate that!"

Not even his captain, Lawrence Shankland, escaped flak

"Shankland, a 30-year-old with a five-year-old's mindset," Braga joked. "Everybody has their strengths when it comes to comedy, but they're so serious in training.

"Everyone can insult each other, demand from each other, but when we get out of training we're laughing."

Braga has been a revelation for Hearts since signing from Norwegian second-tier side Aalesunds last summer, scoring 12 goals in the Premiership as the club's top league scorer.

It's not all been smooth sailing though. Understanding some of the accents around him in the dressing room was tough.

"The worst [to understand]? Now, they try to make the accent less strong... but [Blair] Spittal, [Lawrence] Shankland, James Penrice," Braga revealed.

"When I came, [Penrice] was talking to three or four guys from Glasgow and I thought 'That's not English, for sure.'

"The Scottish guys accept the ones who don't understand. They welcome us really well. Everybody has been so nice and you have a lot of funny guys - maybe too funny. It's a great locker room."

The 26-year-old was also full of praise for manager Derek McInnes, who has led Hearts to an unlikely title charge.

"[Derek] is good," Braga said. "When he talks, everybody listens. He can be a serious guy, but say crazy jokes out of nowhere.

"He's helped me a lot in my performances and he helps a lot of other players in our team. We get energy and fight for each other like a family."

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

It was fitting that in front of Sir Alex Ferguson, Aberdeen deployed 1980s-style tactics by trying to kick us off the park.

However, we have enough streetwise players to cope with it. And even Derek McInnes showed a bit of fight in a comical altercation with Dons' Dennis Geiger after the final whistle.

Only league leaders Hearts can cause ourselves defeat at the moment. While we're not blowing teams away, we're controlling games by displaying a doggedness.

The only time I get nervous as a supporter is when McInnes elects to wait until the dying embers of the match to make subs and typically shuts up shop by adding more defenders to grind out the win.

I still have flashbacks to that home match last December when we dropped two points to Kilmarnock by conceding a 90th-minute goal courtesy of an Alexander Schwolow mistake.

There were no such slip-ups against the Dons and the previously maligned Landry Kabore and Michael Steinwender both impressed, but I've got to talk about Harry Milne and Craig Halkett.

It looks a cert both will feature in the Premiership team of the year because of the consistent level of performances they've shown.

If these guys aren't included in Steve Clarke's next Scotland squad, I'd be really surprised. Halkett's inclusion looks more straightforward given the dearth of centre-back options and the fact Grant Hanley is injured.

Milne has more competition at left-back but should be worth a punt, especially as he offers great versatility having also been deployed at right wing this season.

I have yet to hear one supporter say we really miss last season's player of the year James Penrice and that is a massive compliment to Milne.

Claudio Braga has now netted 15 times and is on course to become just the second Hearts player - after captain Lawrence Shankland - to hit the 20-goal milestone in 34 years.

You cannot fail to be charmed with Claudio, especially after a vlog emerged this week where his old team-mate from Moss in Norway came to visit and it was revealed he still had his Christmas tree up in late February!

He might have time to take it down this weekend with no Scottish Cup action for us.

While there's a tinge of disappointment to not be involved in the quarter-finals, no Jambo will give a hoot if we're going into the final couple games of the season in pole position to win the title for the first time in 66 years.

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Former midfielder Andy Halliday does not "see an area of weakness" in a Hearts side he feels are "the real deal".

The Jambos are now firmly in the driving seat to win a historic Scottish Premiership title after their 1-0 victory against Aberdeen was followed by an Old Firm draw.

Derek McInnes' side have responded impressively to a defeat at Ibrox two weeks ago by securing back-to-back home wins.

The Gorgie club now have clear daylight at the summit, six clear of Rangers and eight ahead of Celtic, who have a game in hand.

"I thought it was a very Hearts-like performance on Saturday," ex-Hearts player Halliday said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think that's the third straight 1-0 victory at Tynecastle. Hearts have been that side throughout the season that, once they go ahead in games, it's very, very difficult to then come back and take points off them because I don't see an area of weakness.

"They've got goals throughout the team, Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland are in the top four goalscorers in the league, they're really strong in the middle of the pitch, whether it's Cammy Devlin, Beni Baningime, Marc Leonard or Tomas Magnusson.

"And for me, at the back, they have been absolutely outstanding all season long, Craig Halkett and Stuart Findlay. That's without even mentioning the guys that they've got in the flanks, Harry Milne and Alexandros Kyziridis.

"I just don't see a weakness they've got. They've scored goals in the last minute, they're great defensively, good going forward, they've got the best set-piece record in the league.

"So that's the reason why for a long period of time that I've felt as if they're the real deal."

A trio of Motherwell stars, duos from Hearts and Falkirk, and one each from Rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Dundee.

Jonathan Sutherland has picked his team of the week, so let's take a look and see who impressed...

Calum Ward - Motherwell

A key part of the Motherwell success story at the back. Yet another clean sheet.

Harry Milne - Hearts

Mr Versatile and Mr Reliable all rolled into one. Another team of the week appearance for Milne. Taking the liberty of forcing this auxiliary dynamo into right-back here.

Luke Graham - Dundee

A goal and an assist from the highly promising Dundee defender. His finish for the Dark Blues was like that of a striker.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Huge goal at a huge time in the Old Firm Derby. The Scotland international has quietly been a big player for Celtic over the past few weeks and will no doubt be a big leader for this side in the finale of this incredible season.

Nicky Cadden - Hibernian

There is almost laser precision to his deliveries from the left-hand side. His assist for Owen Elding's header was a perfect example, knowing exactly where to put the ball to elude the defence and allow the striker the best chance to finish.

Elliott Watt - Motherwell

The Motherwell orchestrator has been a key part of the Fir Park ensemble, which continues to hit all the right notes.

The ominous thing for Hearts, Rangers and Celtic is there appears to be no reason why Motherwell cannot keep on winning.

Watt is a central cog in that winning machine. An assist for Tawanda Maswanhise's second.

Dylan Tait - Falkirk

Two goals and so much to enjoy from the Falkirk midfielder. Part of a group completely in sync with each other, and loving life under John McGlynn in the top flight.

Claudio Braga - Hearts

Has led from the front in the absence of Lawrence Shankland and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

The personification of Hearts this season, plucked by analytics from the relative obscurity of the Norwegian second division to spearheading a title charge threatening to destroy 40 years of Old Firm dominance.

Barney Stewart - Falkirk

Another barnstorming weekend for young Barney Stewart. The Grangemouth Harry Kane was on fire against Kilmarnock and was unlucky not to claim another hat-trick.

The story of the university lad now playing Premiership football has been well told, but it's now moved on to just how quickly he has developed into one of the most exciting strikers in the league.

The only thing missing from the McGlynn Falkirk success story was a goal-getting number nine. They have certainly found him.

Youssef Chermiti - Rangers

Talk about a big game player.

Looks decidedly pedestrian at times in more run-of-the-mill fixtures, but when it slams to the big matches against the big teams the 21-year-old has been the man to deliver. And in spectacular style.

His first goal was Scott McTominay-esque, an iconic Old Firm moment. His second was pure gallus opportunism full of ingenuity and initiative.

Tawanda Maswanhise - Motherwell

Another two goals for the jewel in the crown of the Motherwell story. The top scorer in the Premiership, if Maswanhise can stay fit and keep this form going the Steelmen really do have a shot at glory.

Their combination of goals and clean sheets is quite incredible. What an extra dimension Motherwell and Maswanhise have brought to this quite sensational season.

Watch all the action as Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts pick up another three points against Aberdeen.

We asked for your views on Hearts' 1-0 win against Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you said:

Ruaridh: Feels a real contradiction, but it was a nervy 1-0 win as well as being a really powerful dominant performance. Time to believe!

Gary: Another win, another three points. Despite the narrow score-line, a comfortable win against a hapless Aberdeen side. Nervy, not because of the opposition but mostly, due to the fact one slip-up could have been costly.

Some great individual performances from Claudio Braga, Blair Spittal and Jamie McCart to name a few. A fortnight off to settle the nerves, then we go again.

Tam: A very professional performance and our goalkeeper was never tested. We could have scored more, but three points is all that matters. Can now sit back and watch Celtic and Rangers battle it out for third and fourth as Motherwell, like us, are better than both of them.

Chris: On paper another 1-0 win at home, but these 1-0s don't tell the whole story. We have been exceptionally comfortable on the whole - Aberdeen didn't manage a shot on target. We played well in stages with players working hard out of possession and I've never been happier in my life to have a free week next weekend.

Steve: Another professional performance which would have been more comfortable if not for some more poor finishing – Pierre Landry Kabore and his causal chip over the keeper is simply not good enough. Tynecastle was loud, Braga adds another million onto his worth and this Hearts still beating. Nine to go.

Harry: I suspected McCart would step in to Stuart Findlay's place with ease and he did, it's unfortunate with our injury issues but having someone as good as McCart waiting to go is fantastic. I'm anticipating the return of Lawrence Shankland more than my newborn by this point. We are so close.

Claudio Braga's solitary goal moved dominant Hearts seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership as Aberdeen keeled closer to a bottom-six finish.

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Hearts manager Derek McInnes: "The performance, when you look at the stats and how it felt in there, as if it was more than a 1-0 but we only get the one goal and that's the only thing we're really disappointed with.

"We needed Tynecastle to be like that. We needed to play forward, we needed to pass forward. We needed to try and put Aberdeen under stress. I thought we did that. We scored a really good goal.

"In the main, we defended really well. As a team, we were thoroughly deserving of the three points."

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Hearts teenager Keir McMeekin has been approached to switch allegiances from Scotland to England, with the 16-year-old linked with a move to Manchester City. (Daily Mail), external