Derek McInnes is delighted Hearts remain in the conversation as the post-split fixtures edge closer and has described the Jambos’ final five matches of the season as ‘brilliant’.
Before all that however, the Jambos host Motherwell this weekend, hoping to get back on the winning trail after a frustrating 2-2 draw at Livingston last time out.
Asked about the fixtures at the pre-match press conference, McInnes said:
“The fixtures were actually what we were expecting. We'd kind of anticipated that. So, when it came through, it was no real surprise. Obviously, the kick-off times are a bit unusual at times. It's not great for the fans that they don't get Saturday at three o'clock, but I think, you know, having three away games, it was probably difficult to fit everything in.
“I know there's been a lot of narrative and comment about the team who normally goes into the top six split with the most points, normally gets a home game at the last game of the season for obvious reasons and that hasn't been the case this time. So, I get how not everybody's going to be happy. I think the league have got a tough job to try and keep every club happy and every set of supporters happy.
“But for us, we're just obviously excited by the games that's coming up. I think you look at them, a lot of mouth-watering fixtures. We've said that the top six would sort everything out and these fixtures will, they're brilliant fixtures.
“To be honest, when the fixtures came in, as I said, it was what we expected and we're just delighted to be part of the whole conversation, delighted that we're going to be in amongst it and looking forward to the games when they come up. We could play them in a car park. I'll be honest, I actually don't really care from our point of view where we play and the times and all the rest of it.”
McInnes confirmed the Jambos have appealed the red card shown to Marc Leonard at Livingston on Sunday, with the outcome expected on Wednesday evening and provided an update on the latest injury situation.
“We've appealed Mark Leonard's red card so we're waiting to hear back today on that. Stuart Findlay is back. Harry Milne is back running today so not ruled out for the weekend, but he's got a bit to do. Magnusson is out, Nieuwenhof is out, Ageu is out. Stephen Kingsley came through with no adverse effects for the game.
“Craig Gordon is still out, he is looking to try and get a wee bit more training done next week, he's been out and he's looking to try and do some goalkeeping work next week, he's improving steadily so that'd be good.”
You can watch Derek’s press conference in full on Hearts TV.
