Derek McInnes responds directly to Hearts next manager links as he reveals key factor that puts him in the frame

Derek McInnes insists his AGE means he's always going to be linked with other jobs after being touted to take over at Hearts.

The Jambos sacked Steven Naismith on Sunday after an eighth straight defeat away at St Mirren left them rooted to the bottom of the Premiership table. The Tynecastle club are set to use Brighton owner Tony Bloom's Starlizard algorithm to help identify his replacement, with the poker playing Billionaire in talks over a £10million investment with Hearts chair Ann Budge.

However, McInnes' name has been put forward by a number of pundits and fans, regardless of what other options Bloom's technology throws up. The former Aberdeen boss has a track record of qualifying for Europe, having guided Kilmarnock into the Europa League and Conference League qualifiers this season before being dumped out by FC Copenhagen. His work at Rugby Park means Killie money man Billy Bowie will be keen to rebuff any approaches from elsewhere.

McInnes has been through it all before however, and gave the expected answer when asked about the capital gig, will his full focus on Saturday's home clash with Dundee United. “I don’t take any notice of it," he said. "My job and focus is here. I think I am at an age now where you get linked with things, or your job is under pressure, people talking about it...my job is fully on Kilmarnock. Going back to an earlier question, it’s just about making sure we are the team I want us to be.

“Being relevant again as we were last season. People giving us plenty plaudits, mixing it and landing a few blows on the bigger teams with bigger budgets. I think we can be that team and I actually think we have the potential to be better than last year. That excites me and hopefully we can start by