Hearts boss McInnes expects more 'twists and turns' in title race

Hearts are five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with nine matches to play; champions Celtic are second, with Rangers third, one point further back; Motherwell are fourth, 10 points off the summit; watch Kilmarnock vs Hearts on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, from 7.30pm

Thursday 12 March 2026 13:13, UK

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How many points will it take to win the Scottish Premiership?

"Who knows?" says Hearts head coach Derek McInnes, who is expecting plenty more "twists and turns" in the race for the title.

With nine games remaining, McInnes's side lead the way on 63 points, five clear of closest challengers Celtic, ahead of Saturday evening's trip to former club Kilmarnock - live on Sky Sports.

Rangers are one point further back, while dark horses Motherwell, who visit Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon, are ten points off top spot in fourth.

Hearts remain unmoved at the summit since 27 September, but the Tynecastle boss is aware there is lots of work to be done if they are to achieve a historic first top-flight title triumph in 66 years.

He told Sky Sports News: "It's difficult to forecast [how many points are needed to become champions]. We have 27 points still available, so there's going to be a lot of twists and turns yet, and I think there's still almost a quarter of a season [left].

"So, from our point of view, we don't see each game as a must-win. Or if we lose a game, we don't say we're necessarily out of things. We've just got to really concentrate and just try to get as many points as possible.

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"Who knows what it will take? But I do think that there's a lot of tough games for everybody in and around it and that's even before the post-split games.

"The post-split games are normally where everything gets sorted out. We just want to go into those games in good form and be in the best place possible, hopefully still top of the league.

"And for us to do that, we're going to have to win some tough games."

Hearts are in action on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, after title rivals Celtic face Motherwell at Parkhead. They do, however, play before Rangers' trip to St Mirren the next day, also live on Sky Sports.

When asked if he will be keeping an eye on events at Celtic Park, before that trip to Rugby Park, he said: "Yes, of course we'll be looking at that, as you do all the results.

"We've always got an interest, but I think for us, it's just about trying to concentrate and there are three points available and we've got to do so much right to get them.

"We all play the same games anyway, but obviously, we'd like to try and go into the post-split games in good form and try and maintain where we've been.

"The last couple of performances have been really strong and it's important for us just to try and continue that.

"Every game's a challenge for us and every game means we're full of tension and Saturday's no different."

McInnes returns to Rugby Park following three years there as manager, before leaving last summer to join Hearts.

The Ayrshire side are now managed by Neil McCann, who has won two and drawn two of his eight league games in charge since taking over in January.

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Their last outing was a 5-1 defeat to Falkirk, leaving Killie seven points clear of bottom side Livingston, but three adrift of St Mirren as they bid to move out of the relegation play-off spot.

"Since Neil [McCann] and Billy [Dodds] went in there, there's been a real upturn in fortunes," added McInnes.

"Particularly on the home record, which I think is important for any club, but particularly Kilmarnock, that has always been a strong part of what they do.

"And I know they're coming off the back of a bad result, but I think in the main, their results have been pretty healthy of late, and we need to be ready for it.

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"As each week goes by, the situation becomes more and more important for a lot of clubs, whether it's at the top end of the table or bottom end of the table, and I think Kilmarnock are playing with real motivation.

"They've got a real cause, there's been a real improvement, and the fans are really buying into what Neil [McCann] is doing.

"So, all those ingredients make it a tough game."

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