Derek McInnes: Too early for Premiership leaders Hearts to be viewed as title contenders

Derek McInnes insisted it was far too early for his Hearts side to be viewed as title contenders even though they will begin October two points clear at the top of the Premiership.

The Jambos’ 3-0 win over Falkirk on Saturday maintained their unbeaten start and cranked up the “vibrancy” around Tynecastle at a time when the traditional big two of Celtic and Rangers are enduring relative struggles.

While minority investor Tony Bloom made bullish claims last month about what Hearts can achieve this season and in the longer term, McInnes has maintained a more pragmatic tone, and that continued after his side seized top spot from Celtic on Saturday.

“Nobody (outwith Hearts), I don’t think, genuinely believes we can mount a challenge,” said the manager. “Nobody for us, on the playing side of it, from the staff, are saying we’re going to do this and that, and neither we should.

“We’ve not earned the right to do that. We’ve earned the right to feel good about ourselves through working hard. I think we’re giving everybody a bit of encouragement and long may that continue.

“Football’s tough, it’s not easy getting into this place. For players to be playing as well, to be as confident, to get the place as vibrant as that, it takes a lot of hard work.

“I want us to try and stay up at the top end of the table for as long as we can. Of course we do, who wouldn’t? But once we’re round the first two rounds of fixtures, I think that’s when managers, supporters, players can normally get a sense of where they’re at.”

Alexandros Kyziridis, Lawrence Shankland and Craig Halkett provided the goals as Hearts geared up for Saturday evening’s Edinburgh derby with another impressive win.

“The next one, Hibs, is always one that everybody looks forward to anyway,” said McInnes. “We go into it in a good place, the players are in a good place with their performance, there’s good confidence, so hopefully all that helps when the game starts next week.”

Falkirk endured a difficult afternoon but goalkeeper Scott Bain, who joined from Celtic in the summer, was their shining light.

“Scott’s been brilliant,” said manager John McGlynn. “He’s possibly the best signing we’ve made over the summer. I’ve been very impressed with him.

“I thought he had a great game. He made some excellent saves.”

Bain, 33, won the last of his Scotland caps in 2019 but his form this season appears to have put him back in the frame for a recall for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Belarus, with Angus Gunn, Zander Clark and Liam Kelly – the three keepers selected in Steve Clarke’s the last squad – all on the periphery at their clubs.

“It’s not for me to tell Steve Clarke what to do,” said McGlynn. “I’m sure they’re watching all the games and all the goalkeepers. It’s a position Scotland have had a little bit of issues with, guys not getting games at other clubs and guys picking up injuries.

“Steve’s quite loyal to his squad that he’s got but Scott’s been doing really well, so we’ll just wait and see.”