Hearts manager Derek McInnes has warned that the upcoming encounter with Edinburgh rivals Hibernian may turn out to be the most challenging fixture of their title chase. The two clubs meet after the league split, with Hearts travelling to Easter Road on Sunday for a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. At that point Hearts sit a single point ahead of Rangers at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, and the outcome of the game could have a decisive impact on the race for the championship.
The Jambos have dominated the league for the majority of the season and now have five games left to secure their first league crown since 1960. McInnes told Sky Sports News that the Hibs game "could arguably be our hardest game for a number of reasons – the away setting, the derby atmosphere and everything that comes with it." He added that he is extremely pleased with the squad's performances so far, which have propelled the club into a position where the final stretch of the season feels like a title‑deciding sprint.
"Like most things, whether it's a race or any title fight, the last few fixtures usually decide everything and that's exactly where we are right now," McInnes explained. "It’s an exciting situation for the three clubs involved, but every side in the top six still has something to play for." He highlighted that the competition at the top of the table remains fierce, with each of the leading six teams aware that a slip‑up could cost them dearly. Hearts boast the best head‑to‑head record against the other top‑six sides this campaign, yet they suffered a defeat on their previous visit to Easter Road in December.
McInnes is fully aware that Hibernian will be eager to dent Hearts' title ambitions and that the derby carries extra weight regardless of the league positions of the two clubs. "Any Hearts‑Hibs fixture, no matter where the teams sit in the table, is never meaningless," he said.
"A big part of their motivation, especially in front of their home supporters, is not to let us win. That's to be expected, and they will be preparing for a tough battle." He noted that the recent encounters between the two sides have been tightly contested, and that Hearts need to learn from a recent loss where they were unable to secure a favourable result. McInnes also addressed the injury concerns that have cropped up during the title run‑in. He confirmed that versatile Irish international Oisín McEntee, who has featured in various positions including right‑back, centre‑back and midfield, will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a hamstring tear in the second half of the 3‑1 victory over Motherwell earlier in the month.
"Oisín's out for the season, unfortunately – that’s real bad news for us," McInnes lamented. He added that the club is also dealing with a thigh injury to Tomas Magnusson, meaning two key squad members are unavailable.
Despite these setbacks, McInnes expressed optimism about the fitness of forward Harry Milne, who is currently on a touch‑and‑go basis for the Sunday match. "Harry is progressing well. He's touch‑and‑go for the weekend and we’ll have to assess his training load and whether he can feature," the manager said. "If he doesn’t play this one, he should be ready for the following game against Rangers." Looking ahead, McInnes emphasised the importance of staying focused and improving performance over the full ninety minutes.
"We need to start better, perform better throughout the whole match and aim for a better outcome," he urged his players. He believes that the combination of a strong head‑to‑head record, the motivation that derbies bring, and the high stakes for all clubs in the top half of the table will make the Sunday showdown a pivotal moment in the Scottish Premiership title race. The match will be a litmus test for Hearts' resilience and depth, especially with the loss of McEntee and Magnusson.
A positive result could extend their lead over Rangers and place them in a commanding position heading into the final fixtures, while a slip could open the door for their rivals to close the gap. As the season draws to a close, every point becomes crucial, and McInnes is determined to extract the maximum from his squad, injury‑hit or not, to keep their historic title hopes alive.