Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes hails side's 'desire' after goalless home draw against Hearts

Derek McInnes insisted Kilmarnock's goalless draw at home to Hearts could prove crucial come the end of the season.

The point moved them a step closer to securing European football next term and extended their impressive run of suffering just a solitary league defeat since their return from the winter break.

They breathed a sigh of relief on a few occasions in a clash Hearts mostly controlled. Kenneth Vargas rattled the bar midway through the half before Cammy Devlin curled an effort from the edge of the box moments later that kissed the corner of bar and post.

In a game of few chances, Will Dennis did well to get down low and deny Jorge Grant after the interval, while Marley Watkins squandered a great chance to clinch it at the death for Killie. The striker was teed up by Kevin van Veen in the dying moments but saw his effort saved by Zander Clark.

While the gaffer admitted it was a sub-par display, he was keen to focus on the positives, commenting: "That could be a really important point for us. We don’t have a crystal ball but I’ve said it to the players. It’s difficult to pick up points in the top six especially when the Old Firm are going for a title.

“We carry ourselves like a top six team because we compete and play like one. It’s a case of what’s next and that’s fourth spot. We’re up against the best teams in the league who have plenty to play for.

“We’ve got two away games now at Ibrox and St Mirren and hopefully by the time we play Celtic here, it’ll be cemented but we’ve got work to do.”

He added: "We weren't at our best but it's only Rangers who have beat us since we came back from the winter break. We showed our competitiveness and desire to get something from the game.

"Two or three of our lads haven't trained since the St Johnstone game a couple of weeks ago and we're carrying a few strains and some haven't had the minutes on the training pitch we'd have liked. I thought we looked a bit leggy and off it at times and that unsettled us a bit. For us to beat Hearts we need to be better than that, but for us to compete and still get out point - that's what we've got in the dressing room."

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