“If I’d been looking from the outside, whoever got this job, I’d have been gutted, to be honest, because this is one I felt I could really make a good fist of,” said the applicant.

“With the additional investment, I felt that if I stayed in Scotland, this job would provide me with everything I wanted.

“There is no sense of entitlement in receiving it, but when the opportunity arose, I hoped to speak with the people here. But this was the first time, and everything happens for a reason; it’s worth the wait, and I believe the time is right now.

“Did I think my chance was gone? Not at all. All you can do is work hard as a manager; some seasons are better than others.

“It’s ironic that last season was far more successful, with promotion to Europe and Manager of the Year. This season was slightly more difficult. However, there are times when you hope that your body of work will help you make a decision.

“You can’t make people like or want you; you can only hope that someone notices your work. If people prefer a younger manager, a foreign manager, or a more senior manager with a track record, that is their choice. However, the club made their decision, and I’m glad they did.”

McInnes clearly has a track record. One of giving clubs a boost and leaving them in a better position than when he found them. St Johnstone and Kilmarnock competed in the Championship. He took both to the Premiership.

He found Aberdeen in the bottom six; they qualified for Europe every season and never finished outside the top four under McInnes. Not to mention their only cup win in nearly three decades.

Hearts are in a different position than those above. They are only one season removed from finishing third for the second time in three years. They have now formed a partnership with Jamestown Analytics, a highly respected and revered data recruitment company. And they are about to get a boost from Tony Bloom’s nearly £10 million investment.

McInnes can be more optimistic in his outlook. He wants to “deliver cutlery” as well as “annoy people”. It is consistent with the club’s ambition to disrupt or challenge the Scottish football establishment.

“I’ve always thought this was one that would be a good fit and was certainly one I always wanted,” according to him. “I used to come here as Aberdeen’s manager, and the club was similar in size, ambition, and demands.

“Hearts have a lot in place, including the stadium, training grounds, and fans. It’s quite unique in a lot of ways, given how much effort the fans put in. I don’t believe there is anything like it elsewhere.

“I want to have a team that can accomplish something; we all want that as managers, but it all comes down to having the necessary tools.

“It’s like Aberdeen; people used to tell me it was a graveyard for managers. My first impression when I walked into the club was that we had far more resources than I did at St Johnstone, as well as numerous advantages. But I didn’t believe it was working hard or effectively enough as a club.

“Having 18-19,000 visitors, season tickets, and a budget is only beneficial if used effectively.

“For me, there are parallels to when I went to Aberdeen. The team is in the bottom six this season, and there’s a reason for it. You need to figure out why because the squad, the money, and the benefits you have here should be better than what was served up.

“So the challenge here is to assemble a squad with the assistance of Jamestown Analytics, form a team, and see what we can accomplish. I truly believe that we can annoy people, get involved, and see where it takes us. “I believe we can accomplish something here.”

If Hearts are going to be successful under McInnes, they will do it his way. And his approach resonates with a large number of fans.

He cited the teams of Craig Levein, Jim Jefferies, and George Burely. Of striking the opponent between the eyes. Consider physicality, aggression, pace, and intensity. Of being the “biggest animal”. Of making Tynecastle intimidating once more.

Fans, particularly the latter, will play an important role in this. However, McInnes recognises that it is his and his team’s responsibility. In theory, there should be more speed, width, and balls in the box, with less sideways passing.

 

“You turn up at Tynecastle at 3pm and the fans are here, they’ve done their bit, so it’s up to us to give them a game to enjoy,” said the coach.

“The Hearts teams I’ve played against in the past could hit you with intensity and aggression, and the noise would only get louder. That’s something we need to tap into because I’ve come here as an opposition manager to quiet the crowd.

“We must recognise our responsibility to bring the crowd into games, to bring energy and a mindset to games. Being too precise and slow in the build-up gives teams confidence and allows them to catch their breath.

“We want teams to feel uncomfortable coming here, which is an easy thing to say but more difficult to achieve. But that’s something I believe is important.”

When the game moves too slowly or too precisely, the Tynecastle crowd can become frustrated. Breaking down teams that are deep behind the ball and in numbers is one of the most difficult things to do in football.

There is a tactical and technical component to it. This involves both mental and physical aspects. One that is required in Scottish football, regardless of who you are, either as a team or a player.

McInnes recognises this, and he has instilled it in all of his teams.

“Hearts teams when I was younger always had a strength about them, not people who would just kick you, but fitness and energy,” he recalled. “You had to stand up to it.

“So, while you want technical and visually appealing players who can handle the ball, there has to be another dimension. Scottish football is the league we play in, and I believe we differ from many other leagues.

“In Scandinavia and elsewhere, it’s all very technical, coachy, and slow-paced. But in our country, you have to play with an extra edge, passion and show that extra bit of determination in early parts of games.  You must be physically fit and mentally strong enough to handle the demands placed on you.

“The truth is, success is what my team and I are expected to achieve. So I have to put together a team that represents both me and what Hearts should be. That’s energetic, fit, and has the confidence and personality to cope with playing here.”

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