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Derek McInnes on next Hearts manager links as Kilmarnock boss issues clear response

-Credit: (Image: SNS Group)
-Credit: (Image: SNS Group)


Derek McInnes has played down speculation linking him with the Hearts job.

The Kilmarnock manager is among the bookmakers' favourites to replace sacked Steven Naismith at Tynecastle. The 53-year-old is regarded as one of the top bosses in Scotland having spent eight successful years at Aberdeen before taking over at Rugby Park. McInnes led Killie to Premiership promotion and finished fourth last season to secure a place in the European qualifiers.

The Ayrshire men knocked out Tromso in the Europa Conference League but fell short in the play-offs against Danish giants FC Copenhagen. Kilmarnock sit just a point above the rock bottom Jambos after a winless start to the league campaign but experienced McInnes is confident his side can repeat the heroics of last term as he batted away rumours linking him with Gorgie.

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He said: "I don’t take any notice of it. My job and focus is here. I think I am at an age now where you get linked with things, or your job is under pressure, people talking about it... my job is fully on Kilmarnock. Going back to an earlier question, it’s just about making sure we are the team I want us to be.

"Being relevant again as we were last season. People giving us plenty plaudits, mixing it and landing a few blows on the bigger teams with bigger budgets. I think we can be that team and I actually think we have the potential to be better than last year. That excites me and hopefully we can start by getting a winning performance again on Saturday."