Derek McInnes reveals Hearts’ new identity and explains Stuart Findlay’s role.
Tynecastle have made six new additions in summer transfer window.
Stuart Findlay’s loan move from Oxford United provides Hearts with many defensive options. Height, speed, physicality, aggression, experience, hunger, and leadership are the center-back’s distinguishing characteristics.
They will all be crucial members of Derek McInnes’ Hearts squad. They were also key members of Derek McInnes’ Kilmarnock squad.
The new head coach at Tynecastle Park attracted Findlay to a defensive department that was already 10 strong, demonstrating his belief in the 29-year-old. Findlay, who was on loan from Oxford for the last two years, has been a Rugby Park regular under McInnes and is set to start for Hearts this season. He is, very simply, the McInnes type of player.
“We’ve got good defenders here, but I see the benefits of working with Stuart,” added the boss. “When we worked together, he was an excellent fit for me. And you know, he was interested. He made it clear that he wanted to continue our professional connection. I knew where it stood in terms of finances with Oxford.
“So getting him on a year’s loan with the option of a permanent deal after that was something Stuart and I were really interested in. The deal is fair value for the minute, so it makes financial sense. More than that, it makes sense for me to bring someone I know very well to the club.
“I believe he will do exceptionally well here. I spoke with him the other day, and he really loves it. He was a major contributor to any positive results, and the season before last, when he was totally healthy, he had a significant impact on us finishing fourth at Kilmarnock.
If I had stayed in Kilmarnock, I would have wanted to maintain our working connection. When I came to Hearts, I wanted to continue our working connection.” McInnes believes Findlay’s pace is on par with any Scottish Premiership defender. “He’s obviously quite swift. Stuart is as quick as any defender in the league.
Every player has something unique to give, and some players may have stronger traits than Stu has. At 29 years old, he is an excellent centre-back candidate. He’s quite fit. Normally, he doesn’t sustain many injuries. He received a bad one at Dundee last season.
“He wins first headers, has great pace, provides balance on the left side, and is willing to step in.” You can go man-for-man in the back with Stu Findlay.
He’s not searching for someone to hold his hand and cover him; he’s willing to accept that duty. He’s a fantastic alternative, and when he was available, it would have been wrong of me not to take advantage of the opportunity.”
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Findlay exemplifies what McInnes likes in defenders. Furthermore, he can support a new-look Hearts side that will include a physical component. The new manager makes no apologies for prioritising specific attributes as he seeks to improve a Hearts team that placed seventh in the Scottish Premiership last season.
Findlay is the kind to push the persona in the dressing room, but McInnes sees the big picture as he describes Hearts’ new identity. “Everybody has to drive it, but he (Findlay) has a role to play. I believe he understands how we work. I want that from everyone; it can’t only go to one or two.
That’s got to be riddled right through the squad. We’ve got to have that kind of temperament and mentality about what we’re trying to do here and want to be part of it.”I want to make sure we have to be something. I want us to be really clear.
If clubs come up and conduct a report on us, they must understand exactly what this Hearts team is. There must be a physical element to it, speed, and pace in various places of the pitch. I believe that we can improve the group in terms of pace, size, and strength.
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