'Ambition makes Hearts good proposition' - McInnes

Head coach Derek McInnes insists Hearts are "a good proposition" as the Scottish Premiership leaders aim to strengthen in January.

Khazakstan winger Islam Chesnokov has already been signed, with Dutch right-back Jordi Altena likely to join from RKC Waalwijk.

While refusing to comment on 22-year-old Altena, McInnes did say: "We are looking to try and bring in a couple in the window if we can.

"It's important that as pleased as we are with our work, we try to come out the window stronger than we were."

Chesnokov is yet to train with his new club-mates but the 26-year-old could be available for the first game of 2026 at home to Livingston.

"We're hoping to get him here in the in the coming days," said McInnes. "We're in constant dialogue with him and he's doing the programme set by the sports science department."

A six-point lead at the top of the league makes Hearts an attractive destination for new recruits and McInnes stresses the club has much to offer.

"We've got loads that we can hang on to," he explained. "Edinburgh, Tynecastle, training ground, good players, but another draw is everybody wants to be part of a successful team and an ambitious club.

"We're a good proposition. Good players normally have good options. There's more than one option. I'm well aware of that.

"We want to try and be the best option we can. If we can keep winning games and keep building the profile of the club, then that's great."

McInnes will also seek to trim his squad next month but says there have been no demands from those on the periphery.

"It's as good a bunch of boys that I've worked with," he said. "I always pride myself on having a strong dressing room and a happy dressing room, and that's what we've got here.

"It always helps when you're winning games, of course, and it's easy to be happy at your work when you're involved all the time. Not so easy when you're not as involved as much as you would like and desperately play your part, but I've never seen any hint of that, so it's good on the players for that.

"It goes without saying that there might be a couple of lads that would be keen to maybe move out in January and look to get more regular football, but these conversations are always ongoing.

"It's not just a case of, I need to speak to him today or whatever. These are just ongoing situations."