Heart of Midlothian manager Derek McInnes said he is focusing on winning matches rather than psychological advantages as the Scottish Premiership title race tightens.
With only five games remaining in the season, the outcome of the championship depends on the consistency of the top three teams. Hearts currently hold the lead in a competition McInnes described as a three-horse race.
The standings show Hearts are three points clear of Rangers [1], [3]. Celtic trails the leaders by five points [1]. These margins leave the title undecided heading into the weekend fixtures, which include Rangers hosting Dundee United.
McInnes addressed the timing of matches and the potential for mental pressure among the competing squads. He said the order of play does not provide a competitive benefit to any specific club.
"There’s no psychological advantage in any team playing before their rivals – it’s all about winning games," McInnes said [2].
The manager said his squad is prepared for the challenge regardless of the venue or the opposition. He said he has a high level of confidence in his players' ability to perform under pressure.
"I would be happy to play them in a car park," McInnes said [2].
The focus for Hearts remains on securing results in the final stretch to maintain their lead. McInnes said the priority is the execution on the pitch rather than the narratives surrounding the race for the trophy.
“"There’s no psychological advantage in any team playing before their rivals – it’s all about winning games."”
The narrow point gap between Hearts, Rangers, and Celtic creates a high-stakes environment where a single loss could shift the championship trajectory. By publicly dismissing 'mind games' and psychological advantages, McInnes is attempting to shield his players from external pressure and maintain a result-oriented culture during the most volatile phase of the season.
