Derek McInnes insists his sole focus is on firing Kilmarnock up the table amidst links to the vacant Hearts job. The 53-year-old has been installed as one of the favourites to replace Steven Naismith but he’s enjoying life in Ayrshire and says he’s taking no notice of the situation at Tynecastle.

Derek McInnes takes no pleasure from being linked with the Hearts vacancy and insists he is "fully" committed to Kilmarnock.

Steven Naismith was sacked as head coach at the weekend after a 2-1 defeat to St Mirren inflicted an eighth-straight loss upon them and kept them bottom of the league. Speaking at his press conference ahead of Kilmarnock’s match with Dundee United, McInnes was asked about links, putting his full focus on matters at Rugby Park.

Derek McInnes says he takes no notice when his name is linked with other jobs and insists his full focus is on Kilmarnock. The Rugby Park boss has been mentioned as one of the contenders for the position vacated by Steven Naismith at Hearts.

After speaking to sacked Hearts head coach Steven Naismith and recently dismissed St Johnstone manager Craig Levein, McInnes believes the latter can feel "hard done by" while Naismith "might have got a wee bit more grace". McInnes described both departures as "particularly harsh".