Derek McInnes expects Hearts to use ‘many positives’ to achieve greater things

Derek McInnes expects a season of “so many positives” to spur his Hearts side on to greater things next term.

The Jambos mounted a brave bid to claim the Premiership crown for the first time since 1960 but were pipped at the post in agonising fashion as Celtic scored two late goals to defeat them 3-1 in Saturday’s title decider.

Hearts were unable to carry out their post-match media duties as they were swiftly escorted out of Celtic Park following ugly scenes at the end, so McInnes did not get a chance to speak publicly on the campaign until late on Sunday evening.

“In the cold light of day, when we look back, there’s been so much positivity from where we were at the beginning of the season,” he said after collecting the Scottish Football Writers’ Association manager of the year award.

“The intention now is to dust ourselves down and try and enjoy our break but be ready for the challenges ahead.

“I fully believe that those challenges are going to be met, with the enthusiasm from everybody at the club and the desire to improve make it the norm for us to be challenging for trophies on a more regular basis.

“I firmly believe that those expectations will be met as we go on. I think this season has given us so much encouragement.

“For us to reach 80 points, a club record, and be involved in the Champions League qualifiers in July, there are so many positives from the campaign.

“We’ll look back and enjoy it but we’ll also have that kind of grievance at times and that disappointment to try and spur us on to something greater.

“I think you’ve got a good reference point there in terms of what can be done and obviously it’s our job now to try and put a squad together that helps us meet those challenges.

“There will be more expected of us next season and rightly so but I think it will give us even more belief and confidence with what we’re doing.

“The team’s played with a real attitude to win this season, which has been demonstrated so often, and we have to be that and a wee bit more again if we can go and try and lift silverware.”

Hearts’ reward for finishing in the top two for the first time in 20 years is a Champions League second qualifying round tie in July.

“Even just saying that, it feels brilliant,” said McInnes. “We’ll look forward to it when it comes round.

“It’s important we have a rest in the summer but we also need to be busy and to help the squad deal with those sort of games.

“We’ll be determined when the game comes round to try and make the most of that. It’s obviously a long way into the Champions League from where we are but we’re in it anyway and we’re in with a fight so it’ll be exciting for the club.”