Derek McInnes makes early Hearts confession as he looks to avoid familiar Kilmarnock 'strain'
The Jambos' boss is looking towards the campaign and what will help the Jambos' get off to the perfect start
Derek McInnes would love nothing more than to have a Hearts Euro adventure to look forward to.
But the Tynecastle gaffer admits their failure to qualify this season could HELP his bid to get them off to a flier domestically.
McInnes has been hired as Neil Critchley's replacement in Gorgie after they finished in the bottom half of the Scottish Premiership last term.
That means no European football for the new boss, which he's gutted about.
But having been there with Kilmarnock a year ago, he's realistic enough to know that having a clear run at the Premier Sports Cup group phase - as well as the league - could be beneficial as they look to hit the ground running.
McInnes said: 'I'd rather have to deal with European fixtures, the congestion and all the disruption that can cause.
'That's what I want us to be and where I want us to be. But unfortunately, we've got to look from the outside in this season.
'And when you don't have European football to contend with, it's important you try to make hay at the start of the season and get off to a strong start.
'At Killie, there's no doubt that we suffered a wee bit last season. There are many advantages if you're playing in Europe.
'But I think, from a new manager's point of view, just focusing on one game a week can help.
'Europe does put strain on you and unless you've got a really strong squad to deal with it, it can cause you issues. If you are playing Saturday, Thursday, Sunday, your opponents domestically are focusing solely on you - whereas you are only turning your eyes to them on Friday.
'The team you are up against, unless they are in Europe, always have an advantage.'
Before league business starts, McInnes and his team must navigate a League Cup group stage that features games against Dunfermline, Hamilton, Stirling Albion and Dumbarton.
And the manager insists he'll be playing the strongest team he's got ahead of the Premiership kick-off.
He said: 'I will play the best team possible. I might have the luxury of being able freshen the team up but there will be no playing about with the team – it will be the strongest Hearts team in every game."
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