Hearts must relish pressure of title chance - McInnes

Heart of Midlothian head coach Derek McInnes says they have to "relish the opportunity" to win the Scottish Premiership as the pressure rises in the final weeks of the season.

Despite defeat by Rangers on Sunday, Hearts remain two points clear of Danny Rohl's side, with Celtic a further point behind having played one game fewer than the top two.

With 11 games left in Hearts' season, McInnes says his team, the surprise package of the campaign so far, have to take on the pressure.

"I think there's a pressure that we put on ourselves," he said.

"But I think there's pressure on every club at the minute.

"I'd rather have the pressure where we are than the teams at the bottom. I think our players are deserving of so much praise and support at this stage of the season.

"I really feel as though that is only going to be a benefit to us. Anything other than that will make things a bit more difficult. So for us, our perspective at Hearts, it's my job, it's the staff's job to keep the players on track, keep us fully motivated."

Hearts play four of their next six league games at Tynecastle, where they are still unbeaten in the league.

McInnes says that form is something they can "take encouragement" from, as well as the fact four of their pre-split games are against bottom-half sides.

The next challenge is against sixth-place Falkirk, who did triumph at Hearts' home in the Scottish Cup after a penalty shootout last month.

McInnes believes every match requires full focus, and is looking for his squad to improve.

"All I'm looking for now is to try and get a wee bit more from some at this stage of the season," he said.

"We just need to try and up the ante a wee bit if we can and get a better performance.

"Because these games, they do give us opportunities, particularly the games at Tynecastle."

Oisin McEntee, who went off at Ibrox with a shoulder injury, will miss the Falkirk match but is expected to be fit for the visit of Aberdeen next week.