Rangers apply pressure as Hearts aim to ‘upset’ in the title race

If McInnes was already feeling some of that pressure ahead of the game, he certainly didn’t show it as he claimed his side’s continued presence at the top of the league was getting some support.

“From the start, people have been looking at us since September when we went top of the league, good Hearts team, top of the league in September, well, October and November, they still get a lot of plaudits,” he said.

“Now that we’re there, I think we’re actually starting to bother a few people. I think a lot of people naturally were thinking we’re done now, which is good. I get that and I understand it.”

“We’re overachieving. They’re doing a good job of maintaining that. I’m just enjoying where we are.”

“Obviously there are big challenges ahead of us, but I don’t see anyone in the locker room who isn’t enjoying it. We’ve just got to try and keep at it.”

While a win would open up a huge gap to Rangers once again, McInnes insisted nothing would be decided this weekend.

“Win, lose or draw for me does not determine anything on Sunday,” he said. “That’s the way we’ll look at it.

“I think our away record has been very strong this season which supports what I’m saying – which is that we go and try to win every game if we can.

“We realize that a lot of matches are more difficult than others. This falls into that category, of course.”