Hearts boss Derek McInnes isn’t getting carried away with his side’s strong start to the season and claims they “haven’t earned the right” to be considered title contenders.

The Tynecastle club are two points ahead of Celtic at the top of the Premiership table following their 3-0 win over Falkirk while the Glasgow side were held in a goalless draw at home to Hibernian.

But McInnes refused to get carried away and acknowledged how much work there is to be done before the end of the season.

“Nobody [outwith Hearts], I don’t think, genuinely believes we can mount a challenge,” the 54-year-old said.

“Nobody for us, on the playing side of it, from the staff, are saying we’re going to do this and that, and neither we should.

“We’ve not earned the right to do that. We’ve earned the right to feel good about ourselves through working hard. I think we’re giving everybody a bit of encouragement and long may that continue.

“Football’s tough, it’s not easy getting into this place. For players to be playing as well, to be as confident, to get the place as vibrant as that, it takes a lot of hard work.

“I want us to try and stay up at the top end of the table for as long as we can. Of course we do, who wouldn’t? But once we’re round the first two rounds of fixtures, I think that’s when managers, supporters, players can normally get a sense of where they’re at.”