Heart of Midlothian

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Former Hearts left-back James Penrice says there is no reason why Derek McInnes' side cannot go on to challenge for the Scottish title this season.

The Tynecastle outfit are five points clear of reigning champions Celtic as they prepare to meet in Edinburgh on Sunday and Penrice thinks a sustained challenge is a real possibility.

"Definitely - I don't see why not," Penrice said as his current side, AEK Athens, prepare to face Aberdeen in the Conference League on Thursday.

"It's obviously not something that's happened in Scottish football for a while, but me knowing what's in the dressing-room there, they'll be more than up for it. But they probably won't say they're in a title challenge just now.

"But, if you look at the quality they've brought in, they have players performing at such a high level."

Celtic lost 2-0 to Dundee in the Premiership last weekend and Penrice says this week's match will be a guide to whether Hearts can be title challengers.

"Sunday is massive, but you never know - it's something we're not used to in Scottish football, but hopefully they do," he added.

"Hearts have been brilliant this season. [Hearts midfielder] Beni [Baningime] texted me last night to say 'look what happens when you leave'.

"They have been excellent. I've been watching the games when I can. They have a massive game on Sunday and I wish them the best in that."

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hearts manager Derek McInnes has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership clash against Celtic on Sunday.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• McInnes says Celtic undoubtedly provide the toughest challenge in Scottish football, but insists Hearts are relishing that test and fully believes they can win.

• He would have been delighted with the start Hearts have had were he offered it in the summer, but stresses there is a long way to go in the season and wants to maintain "good levels".

• McInnes touched on "smart and strategic" recruitment with Hearts' net spend being "only a couple of hundred thousand". He thinks that model means the club will continue to improve.

• He calls Jamestown Analytics' expertise a "godsend" and says he speaks to sporting director Graeme Jones on a daily basis.

• McInnes "doesn't care" what form Celtic are in because of the "top players" throughout their squad.

• There is confidence throughout the Hearts squad and McInnes says they aren't "dependent on one or two players".

• Going eight points clear would be "good shooting", but he isn't looking any further than the game itself and says a defeat won't knock them off course.

• McInnes thinks plenty of teams in Scotland are "envious" of Hearts and would love to "slap" them "back down to earth".

• Team news: Ageu is back in training, as is Christian Borchgrevink, who played a bounce game on Tuesday. Ryan Fulton, Finlay Pollock and Frankie Kent are the three absentees.

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Twenty years ago to the day Hearts found themselves in a similar position to where they are just now - top of the table and unbeaten.

Manager George Burley had had a stunning start to his tenure, winning eight of the first 10 top-flight games, including a 4-0 derby victory over Hibernian, equalling a club record set in 1914 and cementing Hearts as genuine title challengers.

But in a sensational turn of events that shocked Scottish football, controversial owner Vladimiar Romanov sacked Burley, and then chief executive Phil Anderton just nine days later, with Hearts eventually finishing a distant second to Celtic before going on to win the Scottish Cup.

Former Hearts defender and manager Robbie Neilson describes Romanov's regime as "crazy" and "chaotic".

"You had no idea what was going to happen from one day to the next. There was a period where decisions were getting made over in Lithuania, even during the games they were phoning to say who was to come off and go on," Neilson told BBC's Sacked in the Morning podcast.

"It was difficult because there were so many players, but we stuck together. There were 63 players at one point in the first team. It was a crazy period.

"But although George was only there for a short period, he was really good at keeping people together.

"It was massive shock when he was sacked. We were at a pre-match meal and George hadn't turned up yet.

"We were having a laugh and it was a running joke that he had been sacked but as it went on, we started to think he maybe had been sacked.

"It was John McGlynn who had to come and tell us and at that point, a number of players had had enough, especially the guys he had brought in, and it took a nosedive from there.

"Football is chaotic at the best of times, but it was just wild with some of the stuff going on.

"It was a brilliant period in terms of the success of the club and the excitement and the drama that built before the games, then you could see it start to crumble before your eyes, and as it went on, it became worse and worse.

"We were in trouble before Romanov took over and we were in more trouble when he left but that period in between was a rollercoaster ride."

For more on Romanov's chaotic reign, listen to BBC Scotland's Czar of Hearts podcast series

Midfielder David Watson, whose Kilmarnock contract ends next summer, is keen on a move to Rangers, while the 20-year-old scores highly in Hearts' recruitment system and English Championship clubs are also watching his progress. (TeamTalk), external

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes has explained the "mad" and "vast" extent of Jamestown Analytics' scouting system, which rates every player who has played more than 3,000 minutes in every league in the world and helps the Scottish Premiership leaders fill the squad with high-rating players. (Open Goal), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Chief executive Andrew McKinlay is hoping Hearts can "really put a marker" down by moving eight points clear at the top of the Premiership this weekend.

Derek McInnes' unbeaten early pacesetters have the incentive of opening up the biggest lead the club have enjoyed in the Premiership this century as they host floundering champions Celtic, who are reeling from defeat at Dundee.

"I know Celtic will come here all guns blazing, they're not a club that like what happened to them last weekend, they won't take it lightly, they've obviously got a European game coming [against Sturm Graz] on Thursday," McKinlay said in a club interview.

"But we should go into this, and we will go into this, with huge huge confidence.

"I don't think there'll be any talk of free hits or anything like that. That's not the way I see it, I know it won't be the way Derek or the players see it.

"They'll see it as a huge opportunity to really put a marker down, and I really hope we can do it.

"We've got as good a chance as we've had in a long time to really show that we deserve to be where we are at the top of the league, and I'd love it if we could obviously continue there for for a long time to come."

It has been speculated that if Hearts are in position to challenge for the title come January then investor Tony Bloom will add extra funds for new recruits.

But McKinlay says that would not be the case.

"Yes, we'll have the benefit of of Jamestown Analytics and that is massively important to allow us to kick on if we do feel we need new players in January or indeed next summer," he added.

"But there's been some talk about how if we're in a really great position that Bloom will put more money into the club to invest further. But I think it's important I just emphasise that Tony's not actually in a position to do that.

"He said this himself in August at the beginning of the season, just to do with Uefa rules [about dual ownership], so I just wanted to make sure people do understand that, but I'm very confident that we will have a squad coming out of January that will allow us to to give ourselves the best opportunity as we move through the rest of the season."

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No club outside the Old Firm have won the title in 40 years - but Chris Sutton insists Hearts can sensationally end that stranglehold this season.

Derek McInnes' side extended their unbeaten start and lead at the top by swatting aside Kilmarnock 3-0 last Saturday for a seventh win in eight games to go five points clear of Celtic.

Sir Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen in 1985 were the last top-flight winner outside Rangers and Celtic, but former Celtic striker Sutton believes the Tynecastle club's challenge is the real deal.

"Hearts have had an incredible start to the season and I think they can win the title this year, I really do," he told The Monday Night Club.

"Partly because of the way they have recruited, partly because of the manager, partly because of their form and partly because of the way Rangers and Celtic are playing, and at this moment of time, I don't see a way out for them until January.

"Hearts have got themselves into a handsome position, they're pretty clear at the top and they don't have European football to contend with as Rangers and Celtic do.

"There's a lot of things pointing in Hearts' favour and with Jamestown Analytics and Tony Bloom, they might go again in the transfer market in January and bring another couple of gems in, because they recruited well in the summer.

"It was a really impressive win at the weekend against Kilmarnock on a plastic pitch, they have beaten Rangers at Ibrox this season, won the Edinburgh derby and they are a well-balanced team.

"They play Celtic this weekend and at the moment I don't think there are many Celtic fans out there that think they are capable of beating them."

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Head coach Derek McInnes believes high-flying Hearts are "annoying" Scottish football as his side sit five points clear at the top of the table.

The Tynecastle club are unbeaten in the Premiership after eight fixtures with seven wins and a draw and face second-place Celtic at home on Sunday.

There has not been a top-flight winner in Scotland outside the Old Firm since Sir Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen in 1985, but McInnes wants to continue to cause upset for the rest of the season.

When asked about the possibility of ending the Glasgow duopoly, the former Aberdeen and Kilmarnock manager told talkSPORT: "I'd feel more comfortable to answer that type of question around Christmas and January.

"At the minute, the only thing that's on is us being off to a strong start and can we maintain it.

"There's so many people out there who are desperate for us to fail.

"I think guys like yourself, the media and a lot of other people from outwith would love to see a challenger try and break that monopoly and I get that, but equally every club we play against now are the club that is desperate to stop us.

"Rangers and Celtic and everybody else, they'll start to get a wee bit annoyed with us if we keep winning games and I do think we're annoying people at the minute and hopefully we can keep doing that.

"I always believe that there's a chance that a club outwith Rangers and Celtic can have that special season.

"Now, whether it's Hearts, whether it's other clubs that can achieve that, you've always got to try and work towards that.

"We have had a strong start, but the season is in this infancy, we're only eight games down.

"I'm not trying to downplay it, but there's got to be a reality here that, whether you've played poorly or whether you've started the season as well as we have, I think it will be after the first couple of rounds of games, that's around Christmas and new year, that you start to get idea of where everybody's at."

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Former Hearts defender Ryan McGowan says that although it's still a "long stretch" for his former club to win the league, fans will love the hope that their electric start has given them.

If Hearts beat Celtic next week and extend their lead at the top of the Premiership to eight points, he says it will be interesting to see if the Old Firm clubs are able to respond.

"A lot of Hearts fans are feeling very confident," said McGowan on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"If you asked them deep down, they would think it's still a long stretch to win the league, and I think everyone knows that.

"But I think what fans love, and what every season they hope for is to have what the Hearts fans are feeling just now.

"That sense of feeling like the club's going in the right direction, feeling you can't wait for the next game. That's what every football fan wants from their club.

"They're enjoying the style of play. They're enjoying the players that have been brought in who are previously unknowns. A lot of them are really good and have started really well, and have taken to the league.

"They're fully confident behind the manager.

"If they win next week and that goes to eight points, it will be really interesting to see how Celtic and Rangers adapt to it."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Hearts continued their winning form in the Premiership and added three more goals to their tally to defeat Kilmarnock on Saturday. They've got three players in my team of the week.

An inspirational figure both at the back and up front for the Tynecastle club, Craig Halkett has now scored three goals in three games. He has always been a good player but seems to have found another level since Derek McInnes took over.

A Tasmanian Devil of industry and graft in the Hearts midfield, Cammy Devlin's form is reflected in his recall to the Australia squad. He has become a key component of all that's right for Hearts right now.

Claudio Braga now has eight goals this season following his brace against Killie. The 25-year-old plays with real personality and a smile on his face - no wonder given the way things are going at the top of the table. A fans' favourite with his own Queen anthem "Radio Ga Ga" chant, will he continue his form and put Celtic "Under Pressure" next weekend?

Watch the Sportscene team discuss Hearts' impressive start to the season as they move five points clear.

Watch highlights as Hearts made it five wins in a row as they eased past Stuart Kettlewell's Kilmarnock.

We asked for your thoughts after Hearts' 3-0 win over Kilmarnock.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Liam: We shall not be moved! Another professional performance. From minute 15 to 70 it was the most complete, dominant away performance I have seen from Hearts for many a year. Cammy Devlin was superb, he was everywhere. The selfless running of Lawrence Shankland, Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis give defenders nightmares. A superb away win against a decent side. Sets up a cracker at Tynie next Sunday.

Peter: The manner of this win is very important. Hearts were far from flawless but seemed to know they will make and take chances. Kilmarnock are a very good side and did well, but we were better and faster. I like the fact that Derek McInnes sees what needs improved and he is the man to do it. Craig Halkett is outstanding this season, Braga is brilliant.

Callum: Good performance and great result against an awkward opponent. Some excellent individual displays and mental fortitude across the team to maintain our ultimate aspirations. My only real niggle with McInnes is that whilst I understand the importance and benefits of the same players having time to gel into a more synchronous unit, I would like him to use the bench more and earlier. We could have got a lot more minutes in for players who have been picking up splinters and will be here beyond this season. Looking forward to Sunday.

John: I still don't think we are anywhere near the finished article and that's the good thing - there is more to come. That's what should worry the rest of the league. Lots to improve on but unbeaten, five points clear, scoring for fun and with massive backing from the fans makes it an incredible time to be a Jambo! Bring on the Celtic!

Terry: Great result on a terrible pitch, made up for my "famous" Killie pie being cold. Best squad assembled since Graham Rix's wheeling and dealing. No reason we can't get second.

Stuart: Never seen a Hearts team look so confident after going ahead, a joy to watch, still don't think we will challenge for the title but second is achievable.

Craig Halkett's third goal in three games and a Claudio Braga double secured a 3-0 win at head coach Derek McInnes made a triumphant return to Kilmarnock as Hearts moved five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Hearts fans will be getting excited, especially as second-top reigning champions Celtic are next up.

Read Clive Lindsay's match report.

And give us your thoughts.

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Hearts head coach Derek McInnes insisted that "no-one is getting carried away" despite his side's 3-0 win taking them five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

"In the first half, the first 15 minutes or so, Kilmarnock asked questions of us," he said.

"I thought we played our way into the game and the goal came at a good time.

"I didn't think there was much in it first half, but when their press came on, we started to engage with our strikers and scored a couple of good goals.

"The last 20 minutes were quite enjoyable as you have options from the bench to freshen it up, see it out and make sure it's not too dramatic.

"It looked straightforward in the end, but until the third goal went in, it wasn't."

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Kilmarnock striker Djenairo Daniels is likely to be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury picked up on international duty. Marley Watkins is working his way back from a heel injury while Jamie Brandon, Matty Kennedy and Tom Lowery remain out.

Hearts have Christian Borchgrevink and Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring) pushing for a return, but Ageu (hamstring) and Frankie Kent (knee) will remain out for another week. Ryan Fulton (groin) and Finlay Pollock (hamstring) are still missing.

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Scott Fraser has been hugely impressed by the work done at Hearts by head coach Derek McInnes, with his former team "absolutely flying" at the top of the Premiership.

The Tynecastle side are unbeaten in seven league games and sit two points above champions Celtic.

McInnes takes his team to third-placed Kilmarnock on Saturday, having left Rugby Park at the end of last season.

Hearts cast the net wide in search of players over the summer, with arrivals from an assortment of leagues across Europe.

Portuguese forward Claudio Braga came from Norway, Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis was in Slovakia, Burkina Faso international Pierre Landry Kabore was found in Estonia, while Albanian Sabah Kerjota had been playing in the lower reaches of Italian football.

"Recruitment has been quite remarkable, with the players they've brought in and where they've got them from," said Fraser, who spent the second half of the 2023-24 season on loan with Hearts.

Talking to the BBC Scottish Football Podcast, the Ross County midfielder added: "For them to gel so quickly and take on what Derek and his coaching staff are wanting is a big, big plus."

With Braga and Kyziridis chipping in with important goals, Fraser said: "I think it's taken the burden off Lawrence Shankland to be the main goalscorer.

"And we still haven't seen Ageu [the club's record signing who is making his way back from injury]. The way Derek talks, he's going to be an important player for them.

"Then there are guys like Craig Halkett and Harry Milne, who have been revelations this season, and that's testament to the coaching."

Heart of Midlothian intend to offer 30-year-old centre-half Craig Halkett a new contract as reward for becoming one of the Scottish Premiership leaders' mainstays again this season and there is a will on both sides to reach an agreement following initial talks. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

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Oisin McEntee says he "expected big things" when he joined Hearts in the summer but to find themselves at the top of the table mid-way through October is "unbelievable."

The 24-year-old midfielder insists there's a "really good mood" in the squad and manager Derek McInnes is the reason the Jambos have the "belief."

"When I arrived I expected big things, but obviously we're doing unbelievable," said McEntee.

"I don't know if I expected it to be this good, but it's been unbelievable since I came in, I can't complain. It's a really exciting time.

"With any team, you don't know how well you're going to do. You just have to keep plugging away and playing it game by game. That's what we've been doing and we've been picking up wins and there's no reason why we can't win more."

Hearts are two points clear of Celtic at the top of the Premiership table and are on course for their fifth win in a row if they can beat Kilmarnock on Saturday.

"The belief in the changing room is that we can win every game," McEntee added.

"The manager's played as big a part as everyone thinks. He's the leader of it. He's set us up tactically brilliantly for every game and given us that belief that we can win games of football.

"You turn up to training every day and you're training with players that are just unbelievable. Even the boys that aren't playing and haven't played as many minutes this season, you're watching them in training thinking they're unbelievable players. It definitely gives you that belief.

"This is where you want to be and there's a really good mood with all the boys. We're just trying to keep that going. I think it breeds confidence going into games and that's where results come."

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• Kilmarnock have lost both of their last two Scottish Premiership games against Heart of Midlothian, as many as their previous 13 beforehand (W7 D4 L2).

• This will be Heart of Midlothian boss Derek McInnes' first league match against Kilmarnock since leaving the club. McInnes has only lost one of his last 30 top-flight matches against Killie (W23 D6), and is unbeaten in his last 16 away games against them at this level (W13 D3) since a 3-2 defeat with St Johnstone in February 2010.

• Kilmarnock have won both of their last two league games without conceding, but haven't won three in a row with a clean sheet each time in the Scottish Premiership since April 2018 under Steve Clarke.

• Heart of Midlothian have won 10 of their last 11 league games (D1), including each of their last five away from home. Not since January 2011 have Hearts had a longer away winning run in the top-flight (seven).

• David Watson has scored in both of Kilmarnock's last two home league games; the last player to score in three successive home appearances for Killie in the top-flight while aged 20 or younger was Steven Naismith in March 2007.