Derek McInnes insists Hearts’ title challenge hinges on “mentality,” as they battle to secure 76 points with three games left. The manager emphasized the club’s “expectation to win” and highlighted five victories over Old Firm and three wins in four derbies against Hibernian as proof of their resolve. Despite the pressure of potentially ending a 60-year title drought, McInnes claims the squad remains “pretty relaxed,” focusing on immediate fixtures rather than hypothetical outcomes.

The Scottish Premiership leaders face a pivotal three-game stretch starting with Falkirk on Wednesday, followed by Celtic Park’s title-deciding finale. McInnes downplayed speculation about shared titles, stating, “That’s not our thinking,” and urged players to prioritize Saturday’s match against Motherwell, who have troubled most teams this season.

McInnes, named PFA Scotland Manager of the Year, credited sporting director Graeme Jones and coaches Paul Sheeran and Alan Archibald for the team’s cohesion. He framed the award as collective recognition, noting, “It’s an award for everybody,” amid a season defined by resilience and clutch performances.

With Hearts poised to become the first club outside Rangers or Celtic to win the league since 1985, McInnes remains grounded: “We can’t get obsessed with connotations.” The manager’s focus on “doing our job well enough” underscores a pragmatic approach to securing history in the final weeks.