Hearts manager Derek McInnes joined Si Ferry on the Open Goal podcast and gave fans a real look inside the club’s flying start to the season.

Sitting top of the Premiership, McInnes came across calm, grounded and focused, not getting carried away with the hype around Hearts’ form.

He admitted expectations are high in Gorgie but said the squad are thriving under that pressure. For him it’s all about keeping standards high every day and sticking to the plan. He said the Jam Tarts’ position in the table is no fluke. It’s been earned through hard work and organisation.

Talking recruitment, the Jambos boss explained how data and analytics help shape decisions but he’s still old-school at heart.

Stats might flag up a player, but attitude and character make the final difference. He made it clear that you can’t measure personality, a reminder that he values people as much as performance.

He was full of praise for Cammy Devlin, calling him a key part of the team’s spirit and intensity. McInnes also urged patience with new signings, saying some need time to adapt to the demands at the Edinburgh club.

The 54-year-old said wants his side to play with edge and aggression both in training and on matchdays. He said he wants a bit of ferocity about the team, and it’s clear that mentality is spreading through the squad.

Looking ahead, he knows it’s crucial to keep the momentum going as his side could making history this season.