Derek McInnes dismisses talk of Hearts pressure and enjoys being league leaders

Hearts manager Derek McInnes has shrugged off any suggestion his players might feel pressure because they sit top of the Premiership.

After a strong start to the league season, the Tynecastle side delivered a statement win over Celtic at Parkhead to re-open the gap at the top of the table.

A 2-0 win at Falkirk last time out extended the lead to six points, albeit having played a game more than their closest rivals, and there’s an opportunity to underline their title credentials when the team hosts third-place Rangers on Sunday.

Asked if there was a weight that comes with being in a leading position, McInnes said the feeling for him was quite the opposite.

“I would feel more mental fatigue if we weren’t top of the league,” the manager said.

“Having been there, I want us to stay there.

“I want us to stay exactly where we are. I’m enjoying where we are.

“I keep saying to the players ‘You’ve done so well to get here and we have to understand we’ve done a lot right to get to where we are at’. We have to do so much more to keep us there.

“The other pressures and things like that, I actually think we’re quite relaxed about it.”

McInnes arrived at Tynecastle in the summer as Hearts looked to match their ambitions after a disappointing season. He says he’s found nothing but positivity as the squad has embraced the new challenge.

“I don’t know how the players come across but certainly when I’m in around it, they’re just enjoying it,” he said.

“I know Lawrence (Shankland) and others I have spoken about, they felt more pressure last season because there’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re underachieving.

“There’s nothing worse than feeling that you should be doing better and having all the criticism and finger pointing that comes with that.

“At the moment I don’t actually think there is a pressure on anybody at the club.

“We’re all just enjoying what we’re doing.”