McInnes doesn't get enough credit - Sutton

Derek McInnes "doesn't get enough credit" for Hearts' transformation into title frontrunners this season, says Chris Sutton.

The Tynecastle side have topped the table for much of the campaign and hold a three-point lead over Celtic with four games remaining.

Should Hearts beat third-place Rangers at Tynecastle on Monday, the Ibrox side will be seven points off the pace.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former Celtic striker Sutton said: "Hearts just find a way to win. Their home record is phenomenal.

"You talk about pivotal games: if Hearts beat Rangers, essentially I think that is Rangers out of it.

"Derek McInnes, their manager, doesn't get enough credit. Everybody talks about Tony Bloom and the investment and the players they've signed. I do get that. But Derek McInnes has still found a way to navigate his team to this point.

"The Hearts story is brilliant because the question has always been: well, can it continue? Can this run continue? Can they get over the line? They've got four games now.

"I've been consistent in saying Hearts would go the distance and find a way. But anything could happen."

Except, according to the former Parkhead favourite, a 14th Celtic title triumph in 15 years.

"I still don't think Celtic can win it and I'm having these arguments regularly with everybody because eventually performances do come into it," Sutton added.

"Each team is capable of not winning another game. It's just the nature of the way it's been this season.

"The teams going for the title, the three of them don't win most weekends and that's what's intriguing."

Read more: Rangers have more chance of title than Celtic - Sutton