Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
McInnes concentrating only on Hearts challenge
ABERDEEN manager Derek McInnes insists beating Hearts is his side’s main motivation this weekend — not delaying Celtic’s championship party.
The Jambos could all but gift-wrap the Ladbrokes Premiership title for Brendan Rodgers’ rampant Hoops if they beat the Dons at Pittodrie tomorrow.
That would allow the runaway leaders to wrap up their sixth consecutive Scottish crown when they face Dundee at Dens Park on Sunday.
But McInnes says he has not even considered the ramifications of a loss this weekend.
Instead the Reds boss — whose side sit second and are looking to claim a club-record ninth-straight win at home — wants his men to press home their advantage over the fourth-placed Jambos.
Asked about Celtic’s title hopes this weekend, he said: “I hadn’t even thought about that to be honest.
“What’s at the forefront of our mind is trying to deliver a strong team performance. The challenge from Hearts will be big enough so we will just concentrate on that.
“If you are going to have a successful campaign, I think you have to be strong at home.
“I don’t think Hearts are coming up here trying to nick a draw. They will be here looking for a win. When you put all that into the mix, it has all the ingredients of a good game.
“If we can go 17 points clear of Hearts by winning, I’d have taken that before the start of the season. Last season they made it clear they were coming for us and this season have tried to challenge us again.
“The challenge has been met head on and we’re in a good position at the minute.”