MCINNES IS LAPPING UP DISRUPTOR ROLE

DEREK McInnes believes high-flying Hearts are “annoying” their Scottish rivals with their stunning form.

- BY RONNIE ESPLIN

The Premiership pacesetters lead Celtic by five points as they bid to become the first non-Old Firm title winners since Aberdeen in 1985.

The Jambos are unbeaten in normal time in 13 games in all competitions this season, with 11 wins, and would go eight points clear in the league table if they beat the Hoops at Tynecastle on Sunday.

McInnes, right, is revelling in being the topflight upstarts and reckons it can continue.

Asked if the possibility of ending the Glasgow duopoly was on, he replied: “I’d feel more comfortable to answer that type of question around Christmas and January. At the minute, the only thing that’s on is us being off to a strong start and (seeing if we) can we maintain it.