The Derek McInnes myth as stats debunk Hearts’ Celtic challenge

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Hearts’ title challenge to Celtic this season has, admittedly, been quite remarkable as the Tynecastle club still lead the pack after 30 games.

With Celtic’s win over Motherwell closing the gap to just two points at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, Derek McInnes is still on the cusp of history if he can lead the Gorgie club to glory.

However, is Hearts’ challenge down to McInnes and the Edinburgh side’s persistently good form? Or is it simply because Celtic are not firing on all cylinders like they normally do each season?

The data from when McInnes was Aberdeen boss suggests that it is the latter and that the Hearts boss is simply doing what he has always done.

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Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen form is at Hearts and it shouldn’t worry Celtic

After 30 games this season, McInnes’ Hearts are top of the table with 63 points after winning 19 games, drawing six and losing just five.

But it seems that the Hearts boss is not doing anything remarkably different from his Aberdeen days, as his record after 30 games in charge in each of his seasons at Pittodrie proves.

McInnes’ best-ever season at the same stage was 2015-16. Under Ronny Deila, Celtic went on to win the league with 86 points as Aberdeen finished the season on 71.

The truth behind Hearts’ challenge to Celtic

The reason Hearts are challenging Celtic is not because of anything remarkable McInnes is doing, it’s down to what the Hoops supporters have been saying all along.

The standards this season have fallen at Celtic. Fans just need to look at the managerial situation to see that.

And while Hearts do deserve credit for sticking in there at the top of the league, let’s not kid on it’s because McInnes is a tactical genius.