‘Different class’: Hearts boss in ‘secret admirer’ admission amid Aberdeen starting XI dilemma.
Derek McInnes, the head coach of Hearts, is facing a selection dilemma ahead of next week’s Scottish Premiership opener against Aberdeen.
Derek McInnes, Hearts’ head coach, admits his team’s form has left him with a huge selection dilemma ahead of next week’s Scottish Premiership opener against Aberdeen at Tynecastle.
The Jambos have made a strong start under their new manager, defeating English Premier League side Sunderland 3-0 in Craig Gordon’s testimonial match at the weekend after winning all four Premier Sports Cup group games.
However, their attention will now turn to a difficult league opener against Scottish Cup winners Aberdeen on Monday.
Expected to be two of the teams vying for a European spot this season, the early season clash provides an opportunity for both teams to establish an early foothold, with Hearts in particular hoping to improve significantly on their seventh-place finish in 2024/25.
The 54-year-old manager was extremely impressed with his players in Saturday’s victory over the Black Cats, but admits that their impressive early form is making it difficult for him to select his starting lineup.
Regardless of who starts, McInnes is confident they will achieve the desired result. “I think when everybody puts their best foot forward, and there’s a lot of people putting their hands up to play, that’s great for a manager,” says McInnes. “Obviously, I can only choose XI.
I believe I could field a variety of XIs and be confident in our ability to compete and achieve results.
“So I have an idea of how I want to play, as do some of the players, but we still have about nine days. Training is extremely important.
We have a bounce game on Wednesday, a closed-door game, to try to make up minutes for others.” Cammy Devlin, an Australian midfielder who was praised by the former Kilmarnock manager, appears to be a lock for the starting lineup.
“I’m absolutely delighted with him,” McInnes exclaimed. “He’s been first class. Even from our first conversation with Cammy, while we were on vacation. I’ve always been a distant admirer.
“Now that I am his manager, I really enjoy working with him. I believe he gives you a bit of everything. I just want him to play in midfield.
He doesn’t have to overthink his strategy too much. Cammy will pick up the game quickly if he stays focused on his tasks. He’s been in a different class.”
New signing. Oisin McEntee appears to have played into McInnes’ mind after a monster performance in the weekend win in Gorgie. The versatile Irishman stated that his preferred position is midfield, and the Hearts manager hinted that fans may see him in that role more often this season.
“He’s a ball winner and keeps it simple,” he told me. “He makes progressive plays up and down the field. You’ve seen why we wanted Oisin on the team. We were a little light in there [due to injuries]. We have tried them in one or two different positions during preseason games.
You don’t always get the opportunity to snap into tackles, turn the ball over, and show that aggression in preseason. There are seven, eight, nine opponents in our league against whom I believe Oisin will be as effective as he was against Sunderland.”
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