Derek McInnes: Win over Hibernian would give Hearts momentum in title race

Derek McInnes has called on Hearts to tee themselves up perfectly for their shot at glory by emerging victorious from what he suspects may be the toughest remaining test of their William Hill Premiership campaign.

A point clear of Rangers and three above Celtic at the top of the table, the Jambos kick off their post-split fixtures with an Edinburgh derby away to a Hibernian side determined to derail their city rivals’ title bid.

McInnes is well aware of the challenge coming Hearts’ way at a venue where they lost 3-2 in December, but he believes a victory over the Hibees would have a significant galvanising effect on his team in their quest to become champions of Scotland for the first time since 1960.

“When you look at the fixtures, each one will be a different task but every one is a really tough game,” said the manager. “Arguably, we could be getting the toughest game of the lot in the first one with all the dynamics of the derby, but it’s a great game to be involved in.

“I think if you can get off to a good start in the split, it can give you that added momentum and confidence that anything’s possible.

“It would be a big ask for any team in the split to win all five games, the evidence suggests that it would be difficult for any team to do that, based on what’s already happened this season.

“We wanted to try and get into the top six in good form and we’ve come off the back of a big win and a good performance against Motherwell, so that helps us.

“We wanted to try and go into it with a lead if we could, and we’ve got that. And we wanted to try and get into it in the best shape physically as a squad, so obviously we’re not perfect in that sense.

“But we go into it a point ahead and with all to play for. We’re still fighting, we’re still believing, we’re still swinging. We still feel there’s more wins in us, and we feel as if we can get enough to then hopefully get our reward at the end of it.”

While Hearts are dealing with injuries to key players, including Oisin McEntee and Tomas Magnusson, McInnes is hopeful that others can come to the fore.

Landry Kabore has struggled to win over sections of the fanbase since arriving last summer but the manager expects the 24-year-old Burkina Faso forward to be buoyed by his fruitful late cameo against Motherwell, when he won a penalty and then scored the third.

“Any time your strikers score, it’s great for them, but it’s good for him to feel that love,” said McInnes. “I think some of the criticism on certain players is too much at times.

“Kabore’s young, he’s learning on the job, and he’s learning to deal with the environment he’s in now.

“He’s done really well, he’ll be seen as a real positive this season. Hopefully there’s a few more goals in him before now and the end of the campaign.”