Derek McInnes Interview: The Headlines

Hearts TV caught up with head coach Derek McInnes following the end of the transfer window to discuss the season so far, the summer recruitment and the improvements he'd like to see. 

 

On the season so far:

 

“I’m pleased with the majority of the stuff that we've done. I think it was important that we worked towards this international break, we were hoping to be at the top end of the table, to be unbeaten and have those three wins and the point against Motherwell.

 

“It shows there’s been good work done. I think throughout the transfer window there's always that kind of air of uncertainty. There's always a lot of moving parts, I think, from our side of it.

 

“We've tried to be honest with the players about game time and difficulties that could be. But what we have done, and I think the club deserve a lot of credit, Graeme Jones, the club, the board, in terms of getting some good signings in the building. When you're integrating so many players that we've spoken about previously, it's just trying to get that synergy and at the same time, win games of football.

 

“I think the boys have done really well on that side of it. The window closed yesterday, and it lets us take a breath and see what we've got, which is a really competitive squad, a team who wants to do well here and motivated and we're all thoroughly enjoying working with them.

 

“Hopefully there's more positive weekends ahead and we work towards obviously the next international break now and try and maintain the form that we've shown over the last wee while.”

 

On the transfer window as a whole:

 

“I think there's been a lot of good work done. Obviously, there's been a lot made out of the Jamestown Analytics and the benefit that we have with that. I think there's this perception that we're paying millions of pounds. Obviously, Ageu was a significant signing, but it comes into our structure wages-wise, and it was a signing that the club deserve a lot of credit for, because it was a significant fee and we're really looking forward to working with him.

 

“We feel that that fee will be justified and we're going to show his quality with us. But every other signing has been relatively quite simple and not way above what the expectations would be here at the club. There's an understanding from myself and the staff and the club that we're trying to get these boys integrated into Scottish football.

 

“They're clearly talented players. Their best years are ahead of them. But that's what we want. We want players who have got that next level in them and that potential. That's a good thing with the Jamestown Analytics and the recruitment. Across the board, from Graeme Jones, Andrew McKinlay and the board, everybody's done so much good to try and get us a squad that meets the demand.

 

“I think you see from the attacking side of it, we've scored 10 goals in four games in the league. I think we've scored numerous goals throughout the League Cup campaign. All the stats will show that we're getting more touches in the penalty box than any other team.

 

“Throughout the League Cup, we try to give everybody opportunity. I do feel that we've got a real competitive squad.

 

“It gives me decisions to make. But I think the players see that in the way they train every day. Sometimes through training, I see a lot of Monday to Fridays.

 

“Not everybody's privy to all that, but what we've got to do is try and keep that competitiveness through your working week. Then it becomes second nature on a Saturday. I think we've seen that.

 

“There are a lot of late wins, players going right to the wire. That's always a good indication of a team who cares and get a lot of personality. And a lot of fitness as well about the team.

 

“I think we're looking strong on that side of it. So, if we get an even break with injuries, we feel we can work towards the next January window with a lot of optimism.”

 

On Musa Drammeh’s departure, Adam Forrester and the players that remain in the building:

 

“Well, obviously we wish Musa well. I think that was something that he was longing for really, was to try and get to Portugal or Spain and he had a few options prior to that, but he decided against that. But we do wish him well.

 

“There were a few other things bubbling along in the last few days. A few inquiries here and there and notes of interest. So, we were expecting maybe one or two more to possibly go over the last couple of days. But I think as a club, sometimes you can't make other teams come and get your players. You can try and be as cooperative as possible and try and make things happen.

 

“But ultimately, there's got to be a desire from a club out there who wants to really take your player and the player wanting to go. So, we thought we might have lost one or two more. But in terms of the additions, we're pleased with what we've done, and we work towards that.

 

“I think we’ve still got the option to maybe try and loan out a few players into the Championship. There's still a couple of windows open worldwide as well. Even though our window is closed in the UK. So we'll look at that.

 

“Adam Forrester will go back to St Johnstone now. We brought Adam back a couple of weeks ago, basically because we'd had a couple of inquiries about one or two of our defenders and we just decided to wait and let the window close before we make a decision on that.

 

“Christian Borchgrevink will hopefully be back in the next three weeks or so, three to four weeks. And we do think that it would be fair for Adam to go out now. And Adam's understanding all that.”

 

On the addition of Alexander Schwollow:

 

“He adds bags of experience, which obviously I think can be of real benefit in that position. He showed a real willingness to be here. He had other options, better financial options back home, such is his pedigree. We invited him to the Motherwell game and he really enjoyed what Tynecastle threw up.

 

“He was watching the previous games against Aberdeen and he said he liked that too. We made the decision two or three weeks ago that we'd really be keen to try and get a goalkeeper in.

 

“Craig was taking a wee bit longer than we'd hoped. We're keen to get our younger goalkeepers some game time and then the injury to Ryan Fulton kind of accelerated all that.

 

“The club were good to back us on that, and we are delighted that Alex is with us now and hopefully he can come in and do well. We've got Craig Gordon working himself back now and that's always pleasing to get somebody of his quality back onto the training pitch. Zander [Clark] is away with Scotland just now as we know."

 

 

On the improvements he’d like to see moving forward:

 

“More clean sheets. I think that makes things a bit less stressful and I think sometimes we've had to really react quicker than we wanted to. I think you can be in charge of games a lot more. I thought the Aberdeen game, I think we've shown in both systems where it was 5-3-2 against Sunderland and then against Aberdeen, we take that on and we've always tried to go with two strikers, which is something that was quite important to us.

 

“So, I feel as though we've got goals in us, getting 10 goals for four games and a spread of goals from open play, set plays, different positions is always pleasing. But more clean sheets would help us, I think. Just get a wee bit more certainty, a bit more trust in what we're doing, rather than having to live by the seat of our pants sometimes, to try and chase games and try and rescue a situation.”

 

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