Hearts have made an official move to bring Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes to Tynecastle as they step up the search for Neil Critchley’s successor.
The 53-year old has delivered success with St Johnstone, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock throughout his time as a head coach in Scottish football and a big part of that has been his signings. It’s fair to say the former Rangers midfielder has a preference for UK based players which brings up the question of what that means for the current oversees players at Tynecastle and the club’s current recruitment process involving Jamestown Analytics.
Here are the 116 signings that McInnes made for Aberdeen and Kilmarnock:
49. Chris Forrester
Aberdeen paid Peterborough £150k for the Irish midfielder who managed just five appearances and couldn't make an impact before leaving after just one season and returning to the League of Ireland with St Patrick's Athletic where he has since made over 200 appearances | SNS Group
50. Stephen Gleeson
Another journeyman of the EFL who had over 300 appearances for the likes of MK Dons, Birmingham City and Ipswich Town when he arrived at Pittodrie. Spent two seasons with Aberdeen as a squad player and returned to England. | SNS Group
51. Thomas Cerny
The former Hamilton, Hibs and Partick Thistle stopper spent three seasons at Aberdeen mainly as back-up to Joe Lewis before hanging up his gloves in 2021. | SNS Group
52. Greg Halford
Another veteran of the English lower league who had spent time with no less than 12 EFL clubs by the time he arrived at Aberdeen on a short term deal to provide defensive cover. | SNS Group