Hearts manager Derek McInnes has dismissed the idea of a “psychological advantage” in the Scottish Premiership title race, insisting his side are focused solely on their own results as they look to hold off Rangers and Celtic.
With just seven games remaining, Hearts sit at the summit of the table with 66 points, three ahead of Rangers (63) and five clear of Celtic (61). While Rangers have the chance to move top on goal difference by beating Dundee United on Saturday, McInnes remains unfazed by the scheduling.
The Title Race Schedule
The top three all face different challenges this weekend, with the pressure mounting at both ends of the table:
| Team | Opponent | Date | Time (BST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rangers | Dundee United (H) | Saturday, 4 April | 15:00 |
| Hearts | Livingston (A) | Sunday, 5 April | 14:00 |
| Celtic | Dundee (A) | Sunday, 5 April | 16:30 |
“The whole psychological thing is quite fascinating,” McInnes said. “I’ve never really gone into any game thinking we can psychologically damage another team. It’s just all about trying to deal with the next game.”
Livingston: A Dangerous Bottom Side
Despite Livingston sitting bottom of the league with only 15 points and one win all season, McInnes isn’t taking the trip to West Lothian lightly. He pointed to Livi’s ability to frustrate the big teams, specifically their 2-2 draw with Rangers in February, where they led 2-0.
Hearts will be boosted by the return of Stephen Kingsley, Craig Halkett, and Beni Baningime, though they will be without the injured Tomas Magnusson and Harry Milne.
“Foolish to Write Off O’Neill’s Celtic”
While much of the talk has centred on a two-horse race between the Edinburgh side and Rangers, McInnes insists defending champions Celtic remain a major threat under interim boss Martin O’Neill.
Celtic have struggled this term, losing eight league games, but McInnes believes their pedigree makes them impossible to ignore.
- Hearts’ View: McInnes says it would be “foolish” to discount a team that has won 13 of the last 14 titles.
- The Underdog Factor: McInnes highlighted that Hearts are upsetting the odds across Europe, given the massive wage disparity compared to the Glasgow giants.
Stat Attack: The Top Three Compared
| Statistic | Hearts | Rangers | Celtic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 66 | 63 | 61 |
| Goal Diff | +28 | +30 | +22 |
| Goals For | 53 | 56 | 56 |
| Goals Against | 25 | 26 | 34 |
As Hearts chase their first league title since 1960, the pressure is on to maintain their three-point cushion. A Rangers win on Saturday would see them leapfrog Hearts on goal difference—at least for 23 hours—but for McInnes, the only table that matters is the one at the final whistle in May.
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
