Despite this, former Rangers and Hibs midfielder, Kevin Thomson, believes McInnes won't be fazed by the atmosphere at Tynecastle.

McInnes, who left Gorgie for his dream job at Ibrox, will be back at his old club on Wednesday night for the Premiership match.

Thomson believes the manager, who took Hearts to within a point of the title last season, could face a tough reception from some supporters.

He 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 came close to making history with a title charge last season, but Thomson believes his focus is now all about Rangers.

He said: "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."

Thomson also believes there is still a lot of optimism at Rangers with eight wins out of nine.

He added: "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."