Is McInnes the man to get Hearts beating again?

Derek McInnes splits opinion among Hearts fans

Heart of Midlothian began the season with European football to savour, Steven Naismith in the dugout and waves of positivity radiating from Tynecastle.

They approach its end in the Scottish Premiership's bottom six, with nothing tangible to play for, and another quest for a new head coach apparently reaching its conclusion.

Naismith was dismissed in September after a wretched start to the campaign. Successor Neil Critchley's six-month reign was brief and meek, an initial upturn dissipating and the Englishman paying the price for tumbling out of the top half of the table and failing to notch a "statement" result.

Now Hearts have turned to Premiership veteran Derek McInnes, having agreed a compensation deal with Kilmarnock, where the Scot has managed since 2022, for the 53-year-old's services.

Seasoned and successful, McInnes is a known quantity to the Hearts board. But, should he agree personal terms, is he the right man to take the Edinburgh heavyweights forward?

Consistent success, but not everyone's a fan

McInnes can be a polarising figure in Scotland, even among fans of Aberdeen, for whom he delivered such consistent results over eight years at the helm.

Some laud the intellect, organisation and repeated success of his sides, while others point to a perception of industrial football and few trophies.

His track record is undeniably impressive. Promotions with St Johnstone and Kilmarnock 13 years apart, a League Cup triumph with Aberdeen in 2014 and a top-six finish at Rugby Park last term are the tangible waypoints.

However, there is a lot more to like about how McInnes' Dons motored in a league dominated by Celtic.

Aberdeen never finished outside the top four, were runners-up four years running, and often had the misfortune of facing Brendan Rodgers' trophy-guzzling juggernaut in the latter stages of cup competitions.

That said, in the early part of his tenure, St Johnstone, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Hibernian all lifted the Scottish Cup, while Aberdeen's wait for the silverware has now stretched to 35 years and Motherwell pipped them to second spot in the Premiership.

As McInnes' long stewardship petered to an unedifying end, his football was pilloried and tactics decried as dull and unattractive.

Hearts will crave style as well as substance, but the latter commodity is of far greater importance right now.

Why would McInnes suit Hearts?

McInnes has the experience and character to handle a club of Hearts' size, the weight of expectation and lofty demands it carries. He has proven as much at Pittodrie.

His preferred tactical blueprint is worth highlighting too.

McInnes often deploys wingers either side of a central striker. His front three of Niall McGinn, Adam Rooney and Johnny Hayes spearheaded a fine period for Aberdeen's attack.

The travails of Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland are well documented, routinely utilised as the advanced tip of a midfield diamond by Critchley rather than the number nine position from which he gobbled up 31 goals last season.

Since Critchley's departure, interim head coach Liam Fox has pushed Shankland further forward and the Scotland striker has scored four goals in two matches.

There is history between Shankland and his prospective new gaffer. It was McInnes who signed and released Shankland as a young forward struggling to make his mark in the Granite City.

Shankland is out of contract in the summer and talks with the Tynecastle talisman would be high on McInnes' to-do list should he make the move.

'McInnes can deliver stability to Hearts'

The managerial job at Hearts does not mean an all-powerful grip on the club, given the existing structure of the football department.

McInnes would likely be 'head coach' rather than 'manager', working with sporting director Graeme Jones and the renowned Jamestown Analytics software that has a key role in Hearts' recruitment.

Those constraints have fuelled suggestions that McInnes would be reluctant to work under such an arrangement, hotly disputed by former Hearts defender and football agent Allan Preston.

"That's not true," Preston said on BBC Radio Scotland. "He's gone into football clubs, the first one being St Johnstone, where there wasn't really a structure in place and made changes to put that structure in place.

"He goes to Aberdeen, Craig Brown was managing there, they were in the bottom six and he put a structure in place there as well.

"He wants to do the best thing for the football club. It doesn't mean total domination. He doesn't demand total control - far from it."

Aberdeen legend Willie Miller believes McInnes will accept the job if Hearts and Kilmarnock agree terms.

"No disrespect to Kilmarnock, but Hearts is a huge job and one I think could tempt him," Miller said.

"Where else is he going to go if he turns this one down? I think, if he is asked, he has got to take it. It's a huge opportunity for him."

And Steven Thompson, the former Scotland striker, says McInnes would provide the steadying influence Hearts have lacked.

"Hearts are a club in need of stability and you can guarantee that with Derek, a top manager who has been in this league for a number of years," he said.

"It would work out well for Derek and Hearts - but not Kilmarnock. Are they going to get someone of his calibre again?"

'No-brainer' or 'unambitious'?

We asked Hearts fans for their thoughts on McInnes being targeted and their opionions were split down the middle:

Joey Martin: It's a no-brainer. What we need is a period of stability. To rebuild. And Derek has that ability and experience.

Colin Allison: Why would Hearts want to appoint a manager solely on the basis that, as a safe pair of hands, he would be good enough to produce a regular third place in the league? Where is the ambition? Just look at McInnes' personal trophy cabinet - it speaks volumes. Surely there is an exciting, talented manager out there to take over the reins at Tynecastle?

Terry Dobson: McInnes should've been in the door years ago at Tynecastle, but instead we've mucked about with risks such as Ian Cathro, Daniel Stendel and Critchley. McInnes would be the best gaffer and the biggest statement at the club since the appointment of Graham Rix.

Bruce Aitchison: Would rather see the club show a bit ambition and try and hire someone that's been in the Premier League before. Alan Curbishley, Kevin Keegan, Steve Bruce etc. Someone who has played at the highest level and also managed there too.

Bruce Wishart: To me, he is a top manager. Plenty of experience. Will bring stability to the club. Critchley never had what it takes to run a club the size of Hearts.

Ray Stevenson: Why are Hearts even considering McInnes? He is managing a team two places below us and we have had a shocking season. Surely we must have ambition rather than a stabilising manager. Brighton's last two managers have done really well and both were left-field selections.

David S: Hearts can't afford another project manager. McInnes, if appointed, will be the sensible appointment and bring much-needed stability to the club. With Jamestown Analytics and McInnes' experience, next term will see us restore natural order.

Alf: Not an inspiring choice. As Aberdeen manager, he was never known for adventurous football and arguably under-performed for years at a time when Hearts, Hibs and Rangers were all struggling or not even in the top division.

Jason Brownhill: Hearts should have appointed McInnes some time ago. He's always been a strong, reliable manager with a great knowledge of the Scottish game and he is a manager who commands respect. Hearts have a great infrastructure in place and, with Jamestown Analytics on board, I really think this could become a successful combination.

Have your say

Hearts fans, are you enthused or concerned by the prospect of McInnes taking charge?

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