Hearts head coach Derek McInnes admits he enjoyed the weekend victory over Falkirk more than any other win this season, following a comprehensive 3-0 win over Falkirk at Tynecastle.
Coming back after a short break, the Jambos came out the traps fast and were two goals to the good at the break, thanks to strikes from Alexandros Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland, before Craig Halkett’s second half header sealed the win.
The victory moved the men in maroon to the top of the Premiership, but ahead of this weekend’s Edinburgh Derby, McInnes reiterated that everyone within the building will continue to take it one game at a time as they continue to target various improvements.
Speaking to the media at the pre-match press conference, he said:
“I think it's important for us all to recognise that we have to keep improving as we go along. Those improved performances will only help us get results and it's results we're all after in the game. So, I'm pleased with what they've given us.
“I thought Saturday's game, because there's no point winning at Ibrox if you don't follow up with a home victory. And as well as Falkirk were doing, there would have been a criticism if we hadn’t won that game. I thought we dealt with the game brilliantly.
“I thought the game was such a strong performance from us. It was probably the game I've enjoyed most, not in terms of outcome, because you might enjoy every victory the same, but just in terms of how we played and dealt with the game.
“We're six league games into the season. Our fight is with ourselves. It's stupid to say we're in a title fight at the minute and we're not getting drawn into that.
“For us, our fight is with ourselves to improve on what wasn't good enough last season and we need to try and improve on that. Like I said, until we're a couple of rounds of fixtures round the block with that, then we're not prepared to get drawn into that. We've just got to try and deal with the next game.
“The next game's difficult enough. We just need to try and win a derby game, which regardless of form, up and down the country, all the derbies, and this is a big derby for everybody involved, form normally goes out the window, and you just deal with the game.”
Craig Gordon has returned from injury and has been called-up to Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the October World Cup Qualifying matches, but McInnes confirmed that Ageu will miss Saturday’s match through injury.
“Craig has managed to put four or five days of training together. He's playing 45 minutes in a bounce game today. I spoke with Steve [Clarke] yesterday, and we were happy that he was fully fit and back training, hence why he's in the squad and Steve was keen to put him back in.
“In terms of other injuries, just as we are. Nothing from the weekend and I think we just have those one or two longer term ones out, as the game's going to come too quick for them.
“When we come out of the break, he'll [Ageu] get some work done in the international break and we'll be able to get him fit for the next game after that.
“We've got a strong squad; we've got good options in certain areas. Some areas are stronger than others, like every squad, but I've been really happy with the squad I inherited and obviously we've added to that.
“A few boys have moved on to get some regular football as well. From day one, from testing back in June, the players have been first class when I work and that's got to continue.”
You can watch Derek’s press conference on Hearts TV.
