McInnes hails Gorgie outfit’s march to top but insists Aberdeen are finally set to rise

DEREK McINNES doesn’t stint on his praise for Hearts. Sitting seven points adrift of the early Premiership leaders, he knows the kind of challenge Aberdeen will face at Tynecastle tomorrow.

The Gorgie club’s start to the campaign, which had seen them unbeaten until a 3-1 reverse at Ibrox 12 days ago, stands in contrast to a more muted opening in the north-east.

Recording just three wins from their first eight games has left Aberdeen in seventh place and diverted the plaudits elsewhere. So far, at least.

So far is the key point to McInnes. With a course and distance record of four successive runner-up finishes, and his injury problems easing, the Aberdeen boss is confident his team can rise up the league standings.

The time for any meaningful verdicts on this campaign is, he argues, still well in the future.

‘It’s a long season and it’s right to highlight strong starts from Hearts and Hibs — and Hearts in particular have been fantastic,’ said McInnes.

‘They have done well so far but, for us, it’s a long way to go and you get judged at the end of the season. We have had our own issues to contend with in terms of injuries and suspensions.

‘So far we’ve only had two defeats in the league — away to Celtic when we felt we were unlucky — and at home to Kilmarnock when we played for 86 minutes with ten men.

‘It’s not been the start we would have wanted, with one or two too many draws than we would have liked. But the league is stronger this year and wins are going to be harder to come by for all teams.’

Tomorrow’s capital assignment is followed eight days later by the Betfred Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden. Positive results in both would clearly be the perfect way for Aberdeen’s season to gain lift-off.

‘The challenge for us is to be as consistent as we have been during my time here and having a number of players back now will settle us down,’ added McInnes (below).

‘We’ve got (Scott) McKenna back after Saturday but Hearts away has always been a hard game, regardless of where the sides have been in the table.

‘But it would be nice to go into next week’s semi-final on the back of a win.

‘It’s early to be looking too closely at the table but at the same time we don’t want to get too far away from the teams at the top.

‘Normally by the turn of the year you have a rough idea of where you are going to be pitching yourself at the end of the season. I’ll be happy if we are in that familiar position at the end of the year and I’m confident I have the players to do that.’

That aim will be aided by increased firepower. Aberdeen had struggled for goals until their 4-1 success against St Mirren prior to the international break.

Sam Cosgrove netted his first two Premiership goals that day but McInnes now also has some more experienced options back in his ranks.

‘Stevie May, James Wilson and Niall McGinn have all been training,’ he said. ‘Scott Wright is back and Connor McGlennan is fine after his shoulder problem.

‘Big Sam got two goals last time and it was great for him but you can never have too many options at the top of the pitch.

‘Cosgrove (not scoring) wasn’t as big an issue for me as it may have been for others because I still felt he was contributing.

‘It was more for him. I just wanted him to get that feeling strikers need, to hit the net to feel value for themselves. Clean sheets give confidence to defenders and team but goals for strikers are the same.

‘This is a different game and we are up against a tough opponent but having Sam and others available is pleasing.’

Aberdeen are also in the unusual position of drawing positives from the recent international break. Mikey Devlin received his first senior Scotland call-up when drafted in for the 3-1 friendly defeat from Portugal, while Gary MackaySteven came off the bench to set up Steven Naismith’s goal.

‘Mikey was maybe one we were looking at for the original squad,’ admitted McInnes. ‘I’ve been pleased with his performances. We are not overly blessed with centreback options and I was hoping he would be in and around it anyway.

‘Graeme Shinnie and Scott McKenna got on the pitch, Gary as well for the second game and he made an impact. But I think it is good for Mikey to show he’s not too far away. It think it will whet the appetite for all the players who were there.

‘We were represented quite strongly in that second game, so it shows if they are playing well here, the national manager will certainly consider them. ‘In Shinnie’s case, hopefully he gets more minutes as he goes along. I think McKenna will. If he keeps doing what he’s doing, I think he will be a mainstay of the

Scotland team.’