McKinlay urges table-topping Hearts to 'finish what we've started'

Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay says the club's main focus is "finishing off what they have started" as they edge closer to an historic league title win.

The Tynecastle club, bidding to end 41 years of Old Firm title dominance and claim for their first top-flight crown since 1960, are a point clear of Rangers and three above Celtic before the final five post-split fixtures.

"We're delighted. We look back to a year ago and where we were sitting and I don't think any of us could have imagined this, to be brutally honest," McKinlay told Hearts TV.

"It's been wonderful, but there's still five big games to go and we still fully believe we can get this over the line.

"Yes, it's been a fantastic season, no matter what happens, but that's not the way we're thinking at the moment, it's not about that.

"It's about now finishing off what we've started, and the guys have done amazingly to get us to this situation."

McKinlay apologised to Hearts fans who will have to move seat for European games next season to ensure Tynecastle complies with Uefa regulations.

A top-two Premiership finish this season will earn Hearts a place in Champions League qualifying, while they are guaranteed at least Conference League qualifying after the 3-1 win over Motherwell ensured they can end no lower than third.

"We are having to make some changes around press boxes, which unfortunately will be displacing some fans, and I am sorry for that because I know people don't like to move, but hopefully we'll get them into other really good, if not better seats than they're currently in," said McKinlay.

"And to be fair, I think in the main there's been a real understanding there that it's something we've had to do to make sure we can play our games at Tynecastle, which we're all wanting to do.

"We're all desperate that that's Champions League, but we'll see how that all pans out."