Derek McInnes 'fully focused on Kilmarnock' amid links to Hearts job

Derek McInnes says he takes no notice when his name is linked with other jobs and insists his full focus is on Kilmarnock.

The Rugby Park boss has been mentioned as one of the contenders for the position vacated by Steven Naismith at Hearts.

The Tynecastle club decided they needed a change in the dugout after eight consecutive defeats and no wins from nine games this season.

McInnes sympathises with Naismith, and Craig Levein who recently lost his job at St Johnstone, and believes they have both been harshly treated following their performances last season.

But he doesn’t see any point in dwelling on rumours linking him with a move and is fully focused on the job at hand in Ayrshire.

Speaking on Tuesday he said: “There’s two managers who have lost their jobs, one towards the end of his career in Craig, and one starting out in his career in Naisy.

“Both. rightly, had lots of praise for the job they did last season, but that can quickly be forgotten about by supporters and I get that.

“I think in Craig’s situation, a new owner normally means a new manager, that’s usually the case and normally just a matter of time.

“I think he can feel hard done by, he went in there and took over a difficult situation and managed to safeguard their Premiership status.

“He has made some good changes and I think St Johnstone are going to be better than they were last season.

“In Naisy’s case it was a strong performance from Hearts last season, and you know how quickly it can turn, particularly when supporters aren’t happy.

“But I just thought maybe at boardroom level he could have gotten a wee bit more understanding and grace with the good seasons they had last season.

“It’s always disappointing to see managers lose their job and in those two cases it feels particularly harsh.”

When asked if he takes it as a compliment when his name is mentioned among the contenders for a job as big as Hearts he said: “Not really, I don’t take any notice of it, my job and focus is with Kilmarnock.

“I think I am at an age now that when you get linked with things or if your job is under pressure and people are talking about it, I actually don’t see much point in dwelling on it.

“So my job and focus is fully with Kilmarnock.”