Derek McInnes reels Ally McCoist in with Hearts title wind-up as Rangers icon's Jambos 'message' shared

Derek McInnes has revealed Rangers legend Ally McCoist’s Hearts title race “support” after a big weekend for the Jambos.

A Warren O’Hora own goal and late Blair Spittal strike sealed a huge 2-1 success for the Tynecastle side against nine-man Hibs in Sunday’s Edinburgh derby at Easter Road. Second-placed Celtic are three points behind the Premiership leaders in Gorgie, but Rangers now sit four back after slipping up in a 3-2 loss at home to Motherwell.

Hearts boss McInnes appeared as a guest on McCoist’s talkSPORT breakfast show to discuss a major weekend in the title race, with Rangers coming to Tynecastle on May 4. As the interview was coming to a close, the Jambos gaffer cheekily told listeners about McCoist’s message ahead of the final four games, with Rangers now third favourites.

What has Ally McCoist said about the title race?

McInnes joked: “Coisty, thanks for that text last night saying you hope we go on and win it now! That was brilliant, you're some man, I know you're a Rangers man but that was very kind.”

McCoist responded with “you’re doing brilliant but I hope you get p***** on Monday” before adding after the interview had finished: “For clarification If there are any Rangers fans out there, I can wholeheartedly tell you he didn't get a message from me!"

There was time for talk on the seismic win too and McInnes said: “Sunday was such an unusual set of circumstances. You very rarely win a game or have to deal with a game playing against nine men. You don't practise that ordinarily, but you know, Hibs had something to hang on to. It's an Edinburgh derby in front of their own fans. They fought and gave their club everything.

Derek McInnes on Hibs 1-2 Hearts

“They defended in numbers. They fought hard to never get overloads in wide areas but we finally brought them down. Obviously, a big moment when Spits scores the winning goal for us. Obviously, in the context of the season, three points at this stage is just vitally important, whatever way you do it. We kept our composure, kept just trying to probe, and it's that balance between trying to show patience and calmness, but still play with the tempo. You need to move the opposition but we got the reward in the end.

“Rangers and Celtic are normally the teams at the top of the league. Sometimes you get the odd team doing it intermittently but we actually feel, you know, we've been top of the league since September by and large. We're nearly into May, and we feel comfortable where we are. I mean, it's not a purple patch. It's something that we're quite comfortable with, and obviously, as the weeks go by, there's more expectation on us, that pressure can build.

“We just get on with it. We enjoy our work. We have a laugh. We get the serious work done, but it's all quite relaxed, and I think we try and drive that side because there's enough going on outside of it all. I actually think that the temperament has been pretty good. Our win percentage against the teams in and around us. I think we're at 70%. We’ve beat Celtic twice. Beat Rangers twice. Beat Falkirk three times. Beat Hibs three times.

“The bigger the game, the bigger the performance, and I think that has helped to build that resolve and strength of mentality. Us and Celtic had a good weekend as opposed to Rangers, but then that can change. There’s challenges ahead of us but I think we're dealing with it well enough. We just need to try and deal with the next few games.”