Derek McInnes insisted Hearts are heading to in-form Motherwell brimming with optimism for the remainder of the season as he scoffed at suggestions of their impending demise.

The surprise Premiership leaders have had their nine-point advantage trimmed to four points after winning only one of their last four matches and suffering their first defeat of the campaign away to Aberdeen last weekend.

It has been suggested they are starting to lose their way, but McInnes pointed to the fact his team’s supporters have already sold out their allocations for their next three away matches as a sign of the ongoing vibrancy around the club.

“It’s magic, that,” the manager said of the fact there will be more than 4,600 Jambos inside Fir Park.

“I mentioned that again to the players. They (the sup

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