Hearts maintained their place at the top of the Premiership with a crucial win over Rangers, while Celtic’s victory against Aberdeen ensured the title race remains competitive. Derek McInnes believes his side delivered exactly what he expected against Rangers, but he has warned that further improvement will be required if Hearts are to remain ahead of the chasing pack.
The Hearts manager was visibly delighted after watching his team complete home-and-away victories over both Old Firm clubs this season. Saturday’s 2–1 success over Danny Rohl’s Rangers extended Hearts’ lead at the summit to six points over Celtic and strengthened their push for a historic title challenge.
Despite the achievement, McInnes is refusing to get carried away. He accepts reinforcements will be needed in January and insists the current position is the result of Hearts’ own quality, not the shortcomings of rivals.
McInnes said he fully expected his side to win but acknowledged the difficulty of the contest, praising Rangers’ talent and dismissing claims that Hearts are only leading due to failures elsewhere. He stressed that the club’s points tally reflects where a genuine league leader should be and reiterated that the focus remains firmly on self-improvement.
With the season approaching its midpoint, McInnes expressed satisfaction with the squad’s effort, balance, professionalism, and mentality. He admitted he is not surprised by their progress, having been encouraged by the group since the opening days of the campaign.
Looking ahead, McInnes hopes for backing in the January transfer window and made it clear that standing still is not an option. He believes Hearts must become stronger as performances across the league improve, noting that several sides are capable of raising their level.
The Hearts boss emphasised his desire for the club to remain relevant deep into the season, rather than looking back on missed opportunities. He highlighted the significant progress made since last term and credited the collective effort of the board, supporters, players, and staff for driving the club forward together.
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