JUST KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON: McInnes embracing title challenge as Hearts storm seven points clear

Hearts manager Derek McInnes saw his side storm seven points clear at the head of the Premiership with a three-goal romp over nine-man Dundee United – and urged them just to keep calm and carry on.

Two goals from Pierre Landry Kabore and an Alexandros Kyziridis penalty secured the points at Tannadice against a home side that had Amar Fatah and substitute Panutche Camara ordered off.

McInnes admitted afterwards that he just wants to keep his side maintaining the kind of attitude they showed on Tayside in cruising to a big win as the pressure ramps up and spoke of his belief in their ability to continue upsetting the odds. 

Kyziridis (right) celebrates after scoring the penalty to put the league leaders 2-0 ahead

Hearts manager McInnes has urged his Premiership pacesetters to keep calm in the title race

‘You are learning about your team all the time, but I think there is a quiet calmness and confidence about us,’ he said. ‘I think we have the best away record in the league.

‘We have won at so many difficult venues and enjoy playing at home at Tynecastle. We’re just enjoying what we’re getting at the minute and I am certainly enjoying what the players are giving us.

‘For a lot of our lads, this is quite new to them, getting caught up in this, and I think it is important for us to keep just trying to deal with each game in isolation.

‘The game needs aggression and intensity, but you also need to keep the wherewithal about you to trust your work. That comes from good types and treating each game the way it needs to be treated.

‘We’re not wholly better than anyone else and the teams round about us are miles ahead of us in terms of what they can offer in wages and transfer fees. We are the underdog despite where we are in the league, but we are an underdog with huge belief.

‘It’s important the players keep maintaining their levels and I think we are going to have to keep improving. Every game at this stage becomes more important for yourselves, but also for your opponent and you have to find different ways to win.

‘I’m really pleased. The pitch was difficult, but we settled in the game really well and I thought Marc Leonard ran the game for us. I felt we moved the ball really well.

‘Kabore, Braga and Kyziridis gave us really good moments. After the second goal, we were in charge of the game.

Kabore celebrates the opener at a muddy Tannadice

‘We scored a third goal and could maybe have added to that, but, before the game, I’d have taken 3-0 all day long.

‘We did our job well. Kabore led the line well. A lot has been made of key players being out and Kabore stepped up to take over that goalscoring threat. It was a really strong Hearts performance.’

McInnes, however, struck a negative note when asked if he was likely to add to the squad with a striker before the window closes on Monday.

‘I am not hopeful, no, but I’d like to,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t look likely. We’ve hit the post a couple of times. However, we’ve been really pleased by what we have managed to get in during the window.’

United manager Jim Goodwin, meanwhile, was upset by both red cards. Fatah was initially given a yellow card for a tackle on Marc Leonard, but VAR Don Robertson intervened, sent referee Calum Scott to the monitor and a red was given.

Camara went off in the second half after motioning his head towards Leonard.

‘Fatah’s red was the turning point and the game became a non-event, really, against a very good team,’ said Goodwin.

‘I don’t see it as a red card. It’s reckless, he’s half a second late.

Fatah was sent off after a VAR intervention when United were 1-0 down

‘He’s over-reached to get the ball and he caught the Hearts player. It’s not high, couldn’t have been deemed as violent conduct, but, when a Scottish referee is called over, they go with VAR.

“I’ve yet to see a ref have the courage to go with his own opinion.

‘With Camara, the Hearts player will be mortified by his reaction if he sees it again, going down as if he’s got a broken nose.

Goodwin admits United will look towards appealing both red cards.

‘I’ll need to speak to the powers that be here and see if there are grounds,’ he said. ‘We are coming into a difficult period of the season and we need every member of the squad. We certainly can’t afford to go without players of the quality of Fatah and Camara.’

United first-team coach Dave Bowman was also sent to the stand after Camara’s ordering-off.

‘He is a passionate member of my coaching team and was frustrated like we all were,’ said Goodwin. ‘I think, at that point, the referee has probably lost control.’