Hearts manager Derek McInnes has warned that the upcoming clash with Edinburgh rivals Hibernian may turn out to be the most challenging fixture of their title charge. The Scottish Premiership leaders are set to travel to Easter Road on Sunday for the first post‑split encounter of the season, a game that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. With Hearts sitting just a single point clear of Rangers at the summit, every point is now vital in the race for the championship. McInnes told Sky Sports News that the derby against Hibs could arguably be the hardest game they face for a number of reasons.
"Playing away at Hibs, the intensity of a derby and everything that comes with it – that’s why it could be our toughest test," he explained. He added that he is extremely pleased with the squad’s performances so far, which have propelled the club into a position where the title is within reach.
The Hearts side have dominated the league for most of the campaign and now have five matches left to secure the crown, a feat they have not achieved since the 1960 season. "In any title race, the final few games usually decide everything, and that’s exactly where we are right now," McInnes said. He highlighted the excitement surrounding the three clubs currently at the top of the table, noting that every team in the top six still has something to play for as the season draws to a close. He emphasized the high stakes involved when the top six clubs meet, especially on a Sunday when Hearts will face Hibs.
"You’re always up against the best sides in the league at this stage, and there’s a lot on the line for each club – but none more so than on Sunday," he remarked. Statistically, Hearts boast the best head‑to‑head record against the other top‑six teams this season, although they suffered a defeat at Easter Road in December.
McInnes is aware that Hibs will be eager to disrupt Hearts’ title ambitions. "Any Hearts‑Hibs game, regardless of the league positions, carries weight – it’s never a meaningless fixture," he asserted. "The Hibs supporters will be motivated to stop us from winning, and we should expect a very tough contest from them." Reflecting on the recent encounter with Hibs, McInnes admitted the match was tightly contested.
"We lost a close one the last time we met. We need to learn from that, start stronger, and improve our performance over the full 90 minutes to achieve a better result," he said.
Injury news added another layer of concern for the Hearts camp. The versatile Irish international Oisín McEntee, who has featured in multiple positions including right‑back, centre‑back and midfield, suffered a hamstring tear during the second half of the 3‑1 victory over Motherwell earlier this month. McInnes confirmed that McEntee will miss the remainder of the title run‑in. "Unfortunately Oisín is out for the season – a real blow for us," the manager explained.
He also mentioned that teammate Tomas Magnusson is dealing with a thigh tear, meaning two key players will be unavailable. On the bright side, McInnes gave an update on forward Harry Milne, who is making good progress after a recent injury. "Harry is improving nicely. He’s a touch‑and‑go for the weekend, and we’ll decide how much he can contribute based on his training and fitness," McInnes said.
He added that if Milne is not ready for the Hibs match, the manager expects him to be fit for the subsequent game against Rangers. Looking ahead, McInnes stressed the importance of staying focused and treating each remaining fixture as a final.
"The title race is down to the wire, and every point matters. We’ll approach each game with the same intensity, especially the derby with Hibs, because a win there could put us in a commanding position," he concluded. Hearts fans can tune in to watch the live broadcast on Sky Sports, while the club continues to monitor the fitness of its squad ahead of the decisive final stretch of the season.
The outcome of the Easter Road showdown will likely have a significant impact on the championship narrative, making it a must‑watch encounter for anyone following Scottish football.