New Hearts boss McInnes targets silverware & plans Shankland talks

After being chosen as Hearts’ new head coach on a four-year deal, Derek McInnes hopes to “deliver silverware.”

Neil Critchley, who spent six months in charge, was replaced by the 53-year-old after leaving Scottish Premiership rival Kilmarnock.

McInnes will be followed from Rugby Park to Tynecastle by coaches Paul Sheerin and Alan Archibald.

A “delighted” McInnes said, “The opportunity to manage Hearts was just what I wanted.”

The new head coach, who is currently on a three-year contract with Hearts, and goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who are both out of contract this summer, said “these conversations will be had” and that he would respond to the situation as soon as possible.

According to McInnes, the club has collaborated with Jamestown Analytics on their hiring, which could give Hearts an “advantage.”

He said, “I think we have a lot going for us here at Tynecastle and Hearts.” Being the man to take it on gives you a lot of excitement.

“Larry, I know him more than Craig, but both are capable players who have shown their quality here. Only good players are what I’m looking for.

“It’s obvious that work needs to be done. There are many talented players present, and we need to find a more effective method of operation.

McInnes had been in charge of Kilmarnock since 2022, and he led the Ayrshire side to Europe last season by placing fourth.

His managerial career began when he led St. Johnstone to the top of the table in 2009, and he spent eight years there until his League Cup triumph in 2014, where he never finished below fourth.

McInnes took over Kilmarnock in January 2021, leading them to promotion to the Premiership, after Pittodrie lacked them in 2021.

His side finished ninth overall, two places below Hearts, after a spell in Ayrshire.

McInnes was ruled out of the home dugout after the clubs reached a compensation deal after Kilmarnock lost 1-0 to Hearts at Rugby Park on Sunday.

He claimed it was “a little problematic” to be linked to Hearts in the final weeks of the season, but insisted he had nothing to apologize for.

He continued, “I loved my time at Kilmarnock.” It would have been completed by the season’s end, in theory.

These things, it’s never easy. It’s all about Hearts’ new beginning, in my opinion. This is what my family and I desired. Things change quickly in football.

What should McInnes’ priorities be in the wake of a subpar 2024-25 campaign to put Hearts in the lead next time?