Hearts manager Derek McInnes dismisses Ibrox rumors: 'We're focused on the league lead'
Derek McInnes, the manager of Heart of Midlothian, is addressing the speculation surrounding his potential move to Rangers. Despite Hearts' impressive start to the season, McInnes remains dedicated to securing their position at the top of the Scottish Premiership table. The 54-year-old, a former Rangers midfielder, has been linked with the Ibrox managerial vacancy, but he emphasizes his sole focus on Hearts.
Since taking over in May, McInnes has led Hearts to a two-point lead with 19 points from seven games. In contrast, Rangers, currently in eighth place with eight points from seven matches, are in the process of finding a new head coach following Russell Martin's departure. McInnes acknowledges the natural curiosity surrounding his team's success and the speculation about his future.
'It's only natural that when a manager's team is performing well, there's talk and speculation,' McInnes said. 'But when things aren't going well, managers often face questions about their jobs. Our priority is to maintain our strong start, and we're thoroughly enjoying the process and the players' contributions.'
Hearts' current focus is on staying at the top of the league, building on their recent last-minute derby victory. McInnes stresses the importance of concentrating on the next challenge, which is the upcoming match against Celtic. He dismisses the idea of engaging with the speculation about his future, stating that his thoughts are solely on the upcoming weekend's match against his former club, Kilmarnock.
'We're solely focused on maintaining our strong start and securing our position at the top of the league,' McInnes continued. 'We're aware that things can change quickly in football, especially for a club of Hearts' caliber. We aim to minimize any negative outcomes and keep our focus on the task at hand.'
McInnes, who managed Kilmarnock from 2022, guided the Ayrshire side to a fourth-place finish in the 2023-24 season, earning them a spot in Europe. He acknowledges the challenges of managing Kilmarnock, a difficult game for any team, and emphasizes the need to concentrate on the upcoming match against Hearts' rivals.
'Our sole focus is on the Kilmarnock match, which is always a challenging game for any team,' McInnes concluded. 'Having managed there, I understand the difficulties opposing teams face. Kilmarnock has started the season well, and we need to give our full attention to this match.'
