Sir Alex Ferguson is watching Hearts ‘forensically’ in their title race with Celtic.
Hearts boss Derek McInnes revealed his most high-profile advisor is the legendary Scottish manager who, of course, is the last person to have brought a Scottish Premiership title to somewhere other than Celtic Park or Ibrox.
In more ways than one, it has been an unusual season in Scotland. We are in mid-February, and having won 13 of the last 14 titles, Celtic are sitting in third.
All whilst changing manager three times, with Brendan Rodgers resigning and Wilfried Nancy being sacked between two interim spells for club icon Martin O’Neill.
And as if it wasn’t hard enough for O’Neill, he’s competing with the wisdom of the man widely recognised as the greatest manager ever.
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Derek McInnes reveals Sir Alex Ferguson influence in Hearts title race with Celtic
The story goes that it was Ferguson who initially recommended O’Neill to Dermot Desmond in 2000.
Given how the next five years went, maybe Sir Alex knows a thing or two.
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The Manchester United legend is still seen in the stands at Old Trafford most weeks, but unsurprisingly keeps his finger on the pulse in Scotland.
And speaking to BBC Sport, McInnes opened up on how he is helping the Tynecastle side, saying: “I’m fortunate enough that I speak to Sir Alex regularly.
“He’s got great pointers, little nuggets of information. He knows all of my players.
“He talks as though he knows them intimately and I tell my players that, and they still can’t believe he actually knows our game inside out.
“He’s able to give you wee things you can maybe do and say, like how you deal with the press. He watches forensically. So I feel as if I’ve got a real supporter there.
“No, I wouldn’t have thought we could be where we are, but it just shows you what can be done.”
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A crucial weekend for Celtic in the title race
This Sunday, there will be more eyes on Scottish football than usual, with a televised double-header bound to have an effect on where the title ends up.
Celtic travel to face Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, where they have often found it tough in recent years. Killie boss Neil McCann will be desperate to give a hand to his two former clubs in Rangers and Hearts.
Speaking of that pair, they will face off at Ibrox after the game in Ayrshire. In five matches this season, Hearts are yet to lose against the Glasgow clubs.
The consensus is a that a draw would suit Celtic best in that game… but let’s take care of Killie first.
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