Derek McInnes believes point against Hearts could prove crucial for Kilmarnock

Derek McInnes reckons a hard-earned point in the goalless draw with Hearts could be a crucial moment in Kilmarnock’s quest to clinch fourth spot in the Scottish Premiership.

Despite making a bright start, Killie found themselves on the back foot for long spells at Rugby Park.

The visitors struck the woodwork twice during the first half, however, could have been punished for their lack of cutting edge in the final minute when Marley Watkins forced a fantastic save from Zander Clark.

Kilmarnock remain in the driving seat in fourth place after continuing an excellent run of form that has seen them lose just once in their last 12 league fixtures.

“It absolutely could be (a crucial point), nobody has got a crystal ball, but it’s difficult to pick up points in the top six, particularly when the Old Firm are going for a title,” he said.

“It takes us up to 52 points, which is great shooting from my players.

“We set off at the start of the campaign to make sure we weren’t in the position we were last year, we then tried towards top six. We’ve been there for the majority of the season and have carried ourselves like a top six team.

“Once we got that point at Tynecastle a couple of weeks ago, there was no real celebration from us – it was what’s next?

“Fourth spot is next and that’s what we’re working towards, we need to make sure that the focus is there to go on and finish the job.”

The Killie boss admitted his side did not reach their usual high standards against the Jambos, though praised their spirit for helping them grind out a point.

He added: “The beauty of working with this group of boys is there is a real competitiveness about them.

“We looked a bit leggy, two or three of our lads haven’t trained since we played at St Johnstone a couple of weeks ago.”

Hearts boss Steven Naismith says the battle for the number one jersey at Hearts is a good headache to have.

Zander Clark and Craig Gordon are both in contention for a place in the Scotland squad at Euro 2024, with the Tynecastle boss rotating between the two in recent weeks.

It was Clark got the nod in the goalless draw at Rugby Park, and he came up with a big save in the dying embers of the game to ensure his side strengthened their grip on third place.

“That’s the joy of having two really good goalies,” Naismith said.

“I’ve got the confidence that even though Zander has missed the last two, that he comes in and will be as solid as he’s been all season.

“The two of them are doing all they can to make the Euros squad – it’s as simple as that.

“I think they have done all they can in the games they’ve played this season. We’ll see how the coming weeks go, but it might be an opportunity to give them both game time.”