Derek McInnes has been named Manager of the Month for September as his positive tenure continues at Tynecastle.

Victories over Rangers and Falkirk consolidated The Jambos’ position at the top of the league, remaining unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership.

They recently edged the first Edinburgh Derby of the season to move onto 19 points, two ahead of nearest challengers Celtic.

McInnes said, “I love it here, it been a long time for me coming here, I always thought this was a job that I wanted to be at, I’m working with some good people, Graeme Jones and the board, but the players have been first class, in terms of their efforts day in day out, and I think for us we feel that we can be successful here,”.

Lawrence Shankland and Alexandros Kyziridis picked up personal accolades, as Hearts swept all of the September awards.

Shankland won the player of the month, scoring three goals in two games, including a crucial brace against Rangers.

The captain scored in each half, firing Hearts to their first victory over Rangers in 19 attempts, and their first Ibrox triumph since 2014.

He also drilled a low strike under Scott Bain two weeks later, as part of a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Falkirk.

Kyziridis is turning into a fan favourite in Gorgie and has started Hearts’ last three league matches since his injury-time winner over Livingston. He scooped up the September goal of the month award for a stunning strike against Falkirk.

The Greek winger cut in off the left, beating several Falkirk bodies before unleashing an arrowing right-footed strike into the top corner. It was a strike worthy of winning goal of the season, and opened the scoring for McInnes’ men.

The Jambos return to league action on Saturday evening, travelling to East Ayrshire to face Kilmarnock.

Eight days later, Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic visit Tynecastle in a potential top-of-the-table clash.