Should McInnes lead Kilmarnock against future employers Hearts?

It is not a situation many – if any – football managers will have ever been in.

On Sunday, Derek McInnes will manage Kilmarnock for, seemingly, the final time before his protracted move to Heart of Midlothian.

The team he will be managing against? Hearts.

His current employers against his future ones.

The 53-year-old is negotiating personal terms with the Tynecastle club and, all going smoothly, will take over once the season finishes.

Although McInnes met the media before Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to Motherwell, it was assistant manager Paul Sheerin who faced the music post-match.

“The manager made his point in the press in the lead up, so we know his stance on the situation,” Sheerin said. “That’s the only reason I’m stood here.

“There’s walks of life where you work your notice and nothing is really said about it. It’s part and parcel of people’s contracts.

“I understand their frustrations and there is an awkwardness about it. We can’t get away from that, but I’m sure the manager will do his best for the club.”

It was a united front from the Kilmarnock coaching staff – and, given Sheerin could be in line to join McInnes in Gorgie, that is perhaps as expected – but it did not impress everyone.

“That’s feeble,” BBC Scotland chief sports writer Tom English said on Sportsound. “Front up. He’s excusing himself of his managerial duties, of which post-match media is one.

“His team were poor tonight. Derek McInnes is the manager of Kilmarnock until the end of the season and he’s put Paul Sheerin in that position to explain that.

“He was happy to talk pre-match and eulogise his team’s recent record, a lot of wins. Now he’s had a sore defeat and he’s nowhere to be found.

The most obvious answer is McInnes might not have decided what he wants to do on Sunday.

Sit in the dugout or in the stand? Or nowhere at all? Damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t. It’s an unenviable position.

“You’ve got to come out and do the interview after the game, especially after a disappointing performance,” former Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell agreed.

“He needs to come out and have that conversation. I’d be very surprised to see him in the dugout on Sunday. I think he’ll be in the stand.”

Supporters are equally unimpressed. When canvassed for their opinion pre-match, plenty of credit was given to the work McInnes has done at Rugby Park, but concerns about Sunday’s game were mentioned.

“I’m quite disappointed with the way it’s been handled,” said one disgruntled fan. “He has taken Killie to Europe and we’ve stayed safe this year. I just wish both clubs had waited until Monday and shown the fans more respect.

“Some said Chris Burke, the under-18 manager, should take charge for the next games, or have someone sitting there until we have a new manager in place.”

Former Kilmarnock assistant Gerry McCabe disagreed. “Derek has done very well at Kilmarnock, he can leave with his head held high,” he said.

“He’s still Kilmarnock manager. Football will throw up things like that and people might say the timing is wrong, but Derek says he’s focused on getting Killie safe and that’s what he’s done.

Now the dust has settled post Motherwell match, what do you think Kilmarnock fans?

Is there an option other than dugout or stand? Is it possible for McInnes to do a professional job in this position?