Hearts vs Hibs: A tough derby start to the leaders’ 13th cup final

A city divided, but the two club bosses are united on at least one opinion – the maroon half of Edinburgh deserve to be where they have been performing so far this season.

However, they stumbled on Tuesday, and their four-month spell at the top of the table could end in 24 hours if Rangers win an equally tough encounter away to fourth-placed Motherwell.

To avoid that fate, McInnes says his side “can’t talk” about their defeat in Paisley and the loss of key centre-back Craig Halkett to suspension.

“We are at the top of the league for a reason, because we performed well,” he said.

“We have to be honest and say that going down to 10 men that night made the whole evening more difficult than it needed to be.

“When we lose this season, it’s by the odd goal or on penalties. The bar has been raised and everyone expects a lot from us in every game.”

Although Hearts were already “competitive”, their cause was not helped by the red cards received by goalkeeper Alexander Schauffolo, midfielder Benny Beningem and then Halkett in recent weeks.

However, McInnes insisted: “It’s about focus, not discipline.”

He knows they can’t take any more of that, or the “slow start” he blames for December’s derby defeat, and dismisses suggestions his side might feel extra pressure from an old company improving.

Rangers are now just three points behind, while defending champions Celtic are a further three points behind and have a game in hand.

“We’ve been top of the league for four-and-a-half months, so there’s no need to worry any further,” McInnes said.

“Every match is important. We have 13 cup finals.

“We have three home matches out of the next four matches. We have had some tough matches and we have some good matches coming up to show our strength.”

McInnis believes that with the injuries that forced the team to make changes against St Mirren, “there was a slight lack of energy because some players may not have played as much recently.”

However, that will not force him to start Eduardo Aggie, the record signing who is fit again, in midfield, or January signings Rogers Mattu and Islam Chesnokov.

“I’m getting a lot of buzz to get these players involved,” McInnis said. “No one is more excited when you sign players and the manager wants to bring in players who are ready, but they are not ready and we are trying hard to get them ready.

He added: “When you sign players in January when the league finishes in November, it is difficult to get them up to speed and Scottish football is more intense, but hopefully they will have a positive impact between now and the end of the season.”