But former Rangers and Hibs midfielder Kevin Thomson is sure the manager won't sweat the atmosphere at Tynecastle. McInnes left Gorgie to take his dream job at Ibrox and some fans in the capital may not have forgiven his decision.

And he takes his squad to his old stomping ground in Premiership action on Wednesday evening.

Thomson knows how football works and even after taking Hearts to within a point of the title last season, McInnes may be booed out the building by supporters who will also not take too kindly to the arrival of Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin as ex-players.

Yet he's sure Del can cope with the pressure.

Speaking on BBC Sounds’ Scottish Football Podcast, the pundit said: “I presume the Jambos will give them quite a hostile reception and I'm presuming probably if Lawrence (Shankland) had been fit and Cammy Devlin, the boys would probably be sitting in the stands. So I'm sure they'll not get the heroes welcome that they would’ve perhaps got if they stayed another season.

“But listen, that's just football. I quite like the kind of love-hate relationship at times. It's just the way it is. It's business. Unfortunately, for football and when you have opportunities to move to a bigger club and get bigger salaries and that's just, unfortunately, just the way the business works. So I don't think Derek will lose any sleep over it.”

McInnes shocked Scotland last season with his title charge with the Jambos and was desperately close to making history.

But Thomson is adamant his life is all about Rangers now and sentiment of last term won't come into it. That being said, Wouter Vrancken's current side are a dangerous outfit and McInnes' lads will have to be fully ready for the battle.

Thomson added: “I think he'll have loved his time at Hearts - but no doubt, but he'll be taking his team there to try and win, which will be difficult because I think Hearts are a really good team. I think, especially at Tynecastle, it's one of the best atmospheres that you can play in on away grounds.

“I think there's still loads of optimism (at Rangers). I think that's eight wins out of nine. We obviously did draw last week up at Dens (against Dundee) - but I think Rangers will be going to Tynecastle with their tails up and that will test their credentials. If they want to be that top of the table come May, then you need to go to places like Tynecastle and win.”