FootyChatter.com

Derek Mc Innes has signed a four-year contract at Hearts after leaving Kilmarnock Derek Mc Innes aims to "deliver silverware" after being confirmed as the new head coach of Hearts on a four-year deal. The 53-year-old leaves Scottish Premiership rivals Kilmarnock and succeeds Neil Critchley, who was sacked in late April after six months in charge. Coaches Paul Sheerin and Alan Archibald will follow Mc Innes from Rugby Park to Tynecastle. "The opportunity to manage Hearts was just everything I wanted, " said a "delighted" Mc Innes. "I've always felt that this is a club that I've wanted to manage. The intention is to try and deliver silverware, bring sustained success on the pitch and just be the biggest animal we can be and try and meet the expectation that's there from everybody. " The new head coach indicated he would quickly address the situation with captain Lawrence Shankland, who has scored 67 goals in three years at Hearts, and goalkeeper Craig Gordon, both of whom are out of contract this summer, saying "these conversations will be had". The club have been working with Jamestown Analytics for their recruitment and Mc Innes believes the relationship can give Hearts an "added advantage". "I feel as though we've got so much going for us here at Tynecastle and at Hearts, " he said. "There's a real excitement about being the guy to take it on. "Lawrence, I know him more than Craig but both are capable players, have proven they're good players here. I just want to work with good players. "Clearly, there's work needing done. There's a lot of good players here and we need to find a better way of working. "Hopefully, when the window closes, the squad will be more rounded, maybe a bit more balanced and a bit more what I would want it to be for the challenges ahead. " Late Kingsley goal gives 10-man Hearts win at Kilmarnock Visit our Hearts page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views Get Hearts news notifications in the BBC Sport app Mc Innes had been in charge at Kilmarnock since 2022 and last season guided the Ayrshire side into Europe by finishing fourth. His managerial career began when he took St Johnstone into the top flight in 2009 and, after a brief stint at Bristol City, he had eight years in Aberdeen, with whom he never finished lower than fourth and won the League Cup in 2014. Mc Innes left Pittodrie in 2021 and took charge of Kilmarnock the following January, leading them to promotion to the Premiership. His spell in Ayrshire ended with his side finishing in ninth, two places below Hearts. Kilmarnock lost 1-0 to Hearts at Rugby Park on Sunday, with Mc Innes absent from the home dugout after a compensation deal was agreed between the clubs. He said being linked with Hearts in the closing weeks of the season had been "a bit problematic" but insisted he had "nothing to apologise for". "I loved my time at Kilmarnock, " he explained. "Ideally, it would've been done at the end of the season. "It's never easy, these things. For me, it's all about the new start. For me and my family, this is what I wanted. In football, things change pretty quickly. " Sporting director Graeme Jones said of Mc Innes: "He was the standout candidate from the process we went through. It's really satisfying to get to today and have Derek sitting alongside me. " Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser 'I recognise the upset I caused': Lineker to leave BBC sooner than planned after antisemitism row 'The other teams didn't win anything' - Guardiola on Champions League race 'Scheffler's Woods-like mentality should worry chasing pack' A dramatic retelling of a terrorist attack on UK soil Louis Theroux visits the West Bank to meet Israeli settlers The lifeblood at the heart of every fridge A con artist with multiple fake identities hides a dark past What is still to be decided as season reaches climax? League reconstruction - why, when & what might it look like? Scotland men's internationals to be shown live on BBC Commonwealth Games: Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland? From titles to tinpottery - rank Scotland's top 10 clubs England bolters, Steward's potential switch & a 'Carewell' 'Scheffler's Woods-like mentality should worry chasing pack' 'It can't all come from the manager' - Keown on how Arsenal can become winners How 'Beckham-like' Rice inspired Arsenal win. Video How 'Beckham-like' Rice inspired Arsenal win How 'delicious' Verstappen move caught Mc Laren by surprise Can anyone stop 'unrivalled' Chelsea after treble? Baltimore scores twice as Chelsea beat Man Utd to secure treble. Video Baltimore scores twice as Chelsea beat Man Utd to secure treble Ratcliffe absence obscures the big issues at Man Utd Winning first trophy like a switch going off - Kane 'Inspirational' Vardy's perfect Leicester parting. Video'Inspirational' Vardy's perfect Leicester parting 'The old place will live on - but this was end of an era for Goodison Park' A tale of nine points & the 99th minute - how Ajax blew title 'This is the year of the underdog - and I love it! ' How Glasner led Palace through darkness to light of FA Cup glory Palace shock Man City to win first major trophy in their history. Video Palace shock Man City to win first major trophy in their history 'Just get rid of VAR! ' - Rooney baffled by Henderson decision. Video'Just get rid of VAR! ' - Rooney baffled by Henderson decision 'You see ghosts of your mates' - what Goodison means to Everton fans Unknown to Real Madrid's £50m man - the rise of Huijsen 'That's very cheeky' - was Tebogo 'disrespectful' in Diamond League win? Video'That's very cheeky' - was Tebogo 'disrespectful' in Diamond League win? The team of the year with no games - Scotland women's 'helpless' situation Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.