Football Apr 29, 2026

Scottish Premiership: Hearts boss Derek McInnes believes Hibernian could be 'hardest game' during title run-in

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Scottish Premiership: Hearts boss Derek McInnes believes Hibernian could be 'hardest game' during title run-in

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes believes Edinburgh rivals Hibs could be their "hardest game" as they look to clinch the Scottish Premiership title.

They kick off their post-split fixtures away to their Edinburgh rivals on Sunday, live on Your Site, sitting one point ahead of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

The Jambos, who have led the way virtually all season, have five games left to play in their quest to lift the title for the first time since 1960.

"Arguably, it could be our hardest game for lots of different reasons, Hibs away and the derby and everything that entails," he told Your Site News.

"I'm absolutely delighted with the players' efforts to get us into this position.

"Like most things, whether it's a race or any title race, it's always the last few games that normally decide everything and that's where we are.

"It's such an exciting situation for the three teams involved, but every team in the top six has got something to play for.

"Obviously you play the best teams now in the top six and there's a lot at stake for each team, none more so again on Sunday."

Hearts have the best head-to-head record against the teams in the top six this season, but lost on their last trip to Easter Road in December.

McInnes knows their rivals will be determined to dent their title aspirations.

"Any Hearts-Hibs fixture, regardless of where both teams are in the league, it's never meaningless," he said.

"A big aspect of their motivation in front of their home fans is not to let Hearts win the game, but you'd expect that and they've got to expect a tough game from us.

"The games have all been pretty tight.

"Obviously, we took a sore one there in the last time out. We've got to learn from that and hopefully, as I say, we start better, we perform better over 90 minutes and hopefully we get a better outcome."

McInnes revealed influential Hearts player Oisín McEntee will miss the remainder of the title run-in.

The versatile Irishman, who has been deployed at right-back, centre-back and midfield this term, went off with a hamstring injury in the second half of the 3-1 win over Motherwell earlier this month.

"Oisín's out for the season unfortunately, so real bad news for us on that one," said McInnes.

"He has got a tear in his hamstring, to go along with Tomas Magnusson's tear in the thigh. So it's two big competitors and big parts of our team out.

"Harry [Milne] is progressing really well. He's touch and go for the weekend and we just need to weigh that up, how much work he does before the weekend, whether he gets involved or not.

"If he doesn't make this one, he should be in place for the next one against Rangers."

Tags:

football news

Share this article

Related Posts

Atletico Madrid 1-1 Arsenal: Gunners have late penalty overturned as Champions League semi-final first leg ends in draw

Atletico Madrid 1-1 Arsenal: Gunners have late penalty overturned as Champions League semi-final first leg ends in draw

Mikel Arteta was left fuming after Arsenal had a penalty controversially overturned following a VAR check in a pulsating 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid...

Premier League title-race verdict: Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, players and Sky Sports pundits have their say after Man City beat Arsenal

Premier League title-race verdict: Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, players and Sky Sports pundits have their say after Man City beat Arsenal

Arsenal are still top of the Premier League - but Manchester City landed a big blow in the title race by winning the top-two showdown at the Etihad on...

Man City 2-1 Arsenal: How do Mikel Arteta's Gunners regain momentum and initiative in the Premier League title race after disappointing defeat?

Man City 2-1 Arsenal: How do Mikel Arteta's Gunners regain momentum and initiative in the Premier League title race after disappointing defeat?

"Panic on the streets of London," read the Manchester City banner at full-time. With his hair down, Erling Haaland was singing Flo Rida's: "Oh, someti...

Marco Rose to Bournemouth: Why Andoni Iraola is a fan of his replacement who plays a similar style of football

Marco Rose to Bournemouth: Why Andoni Iraola is a fan of his replacement who plays a similar style of football

When Andoni Iraola was at Rayo Vallecano he was asked in an interview with Spanish sports outlet Relevo who he enjoyed watching. His reply feels parti...

James Tavernier: Rangers captain will 'never shut door' on new deal as he eyes Scottish Premiership title glory

James Tavernier: Rangers captain will 'never shut door' on new deal as he eyes Scottish Premiership title glory

James Tavernier has told Your Site News he will "never shut the door " on a new deal at Rangers.The Ibrox captain is out of contract at the end of the...

Marco Rose: Bournemouth appoint former RB Leipzig boss as Andoni Iraola successor

Marco Rose: Bournemouth appoint former RB Leipzig boss as Andoni Iraola successor

Bournemouth have appointed Marco Rose as Andoni Iraola's successor.Rose will officially take charge in the summer on a three-year contract but the dea...