Exclusive:McInnes sends Tynecastle rallying cry ahead of Hearts vs Rangers and discusses January transfer window hopes
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes hopes the Tynecastle crowd will be extra vocal this Sunday when Rangers visit Edinburgh.
Derek McInnes says he hopes Hearts supporters enter Tynecastle early on Sunday with an expectation of victory and that hose who normally aren’t the most vocal do their bit to get behind the team.
The Jambos gaffer spoke exclusively to the Edinburgh Evening News earlier this week and issued a rallying cry to the fans who have tickets for their Scottish Premiership match at home to Rangers. The hosts could extend their points advantage in the table from nine to 12 over the Glasgow club with a win.
Having already won at Ibrox earlier this season it is a match that he hopes his players can feel that little bit of extra confidence going in. However, that doesn’t mean he’s anticipating a straightforward afternoon, far from it.
‘Get behind the team, try and create the best atmosphere possible’ - McInnes sends rallying cry to Hearts fans ahead of Rangers visit
"It gives the players a bit of confidence [having won at Ibrox and Celtic Park already], said McInnes. “I think there's confidence in the team at the minute anyway.
“I think we've got to remind ourselves that every game's a different challenge. Even though that was a different game, we had to do a lot right in both games to beat the good teams in the league, the better teams in the league.
"So, that one will change, but if any players feel a wee bit extra confident, that doesn't do us any harm on the back. It's a good reference for us as we go along through the season, if you can beat these teams, and you have to do a lot right to do that.
"People will document Rangers and Celtic and problems that they may have, but when you actually strip it back, every starting team that comes in is good players and they have paid a lot of money for these players. Each and every game is a different challenge.
“I just think we just look at each game. We obviously have to look at each opponent, and we speak briefly, really, on what the opposition may or may not do.
"We speak about systems, the opposition, strengths and the like as we do. But, you know, I think we try to focus on ourselves. We feel as if there's goals in us. The goals have been good this season.
"We understand that getting clean sheets is vitally important, but we feel we've got these types of performances in us to win these types of games and not really look too much at history and the like. We just try to kind of concentrate on the here and now.”
Asked if supporters should also feel a bit more confident, McInnes added: “I really hope so. I think for us, it's something we've spoken about. We want the fans to get in early.
“We want the fans to really look forward to getting to Tynecastle. I think Sunday's game, naturally, when you play Rangers at Tynecastle, it's always a game that's much anticipated, but even more so at the minute, given where we are in the league.
"I just hope fans get in early. If they're not normally the ones who want to sing please try and join in, get behind the team, try and create the best atmosphere possible.
"We hope and we feel the players will respond to that and it's up to us to make it as strong a performance together from Hearts on the pitch and off the pitch. We've all got a role to play with that."
McInnes hopes Hearts can come out of January transfer window stronger in order to maintain form
The Hearts boss has been very vocal about not wanting to discuss title challenges or races this early in the season. However, he has acknowledged that the January transfer window will likely play an important part in how the back half of the season unfolds.
He said: "For me it's just trying to come out the window a even bit stronger if we can. I think that's important in keeping key players fit. I feel as though we train with motivation. We train professionally and that all has to continue.
"We just try to kind of nudge our way through the season, just being happy with our work and winning games. To give yourself the best chance is being fortunate with injuries and being as strong a scorer as possible.
"January gives us a chance to come out the window maybe a wee bit stronger, hopefully that can be the case."