The high-flying Jambos head north to face Aberdeen after the international break on McInnes’ latest return to his former stomping ground
19:00, 12 Nov 2025Updated 07:06, 13 Nov 2025
Joe Lewis has written off table-topping Hearts’ chances of winning the Premiership.
The keeper is a big fan of Derek McInnes, having worked under him at Aberdeen, and has watched him take his Jambos into this international break seven points clear, although Celtic have a game-in-hand.
But he doesn’t think Hearts will be able to maintain a title challenge over the course of the season. Lewis told Record Sport: “He (McInnes) is that competitive guy and manager and he has done a fantastic job at Hearts.
“Can they keep it going? No, I don’t think they will. I don’t think they will go through the whole season, but they will want to keep it going.”
Hearts boss Derek McInnes(Image: SNS Group)
Lewis sees similarities between Hearts and Aberdeen last season. The Dons made a storming start under Jimmy Thelin and then fell away. Hearts are still undefeated in the league but Lewis believes they could come unstuck at Pittodrie after this break.
It is a fixture that has traditionally gone with the home side, with Hearts winning the opening game of the season at Tynecastle. Lewis hopes it can be the tuning point in Aberdeen’s season.
He claimed: “Derek is a shrewd manager and he will probably want to win this game more than any other. They will still see Aberdeen as a scalp and a potential competitor.
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“When you look at Aberdeen last season. We started in similar fashion and then fell away. They will know that and will have that in their mind, that they need to keep it going.
‘Yes, they have shown real strength and quality but you can also see how quickly that can change. If Aberdeen can win and beat them then hopefully it can be the catalyst for Aberdeen to kick on and things to go the other way.”
Captain Graeme Shinnie made his 300th start for Aberdeen in the weekend draw with Motherwell. The captain is out of contract at the end of the season and Lewis believes he should be in line for a new deal.
The former skipper said: “Is he going to start every game? Probably not. Is he going to be someone who impacts games or somebody who can go and play 60 minutes and come off or one game-a-week?
Joe Lewis and Graeme Shinnie back in 2017(Image: SNS Group)
“The club will try to keep him. Also, what he offers to the club away from the pitch is very important and still gives something important on it.”
Shinnie has come in for criticism this season but Lewis knows nobody can question his passion or love for Aberdeen. He insisted: “He is an absolute warrior!
“I was pleased for him, as anyone, with the Scottish Cup win. He deserved that, in what he has given the club in not only the games but time he has been at the club.
“Every training session I was there, he was a standout. He is at it.
“There was not one day where you could say he hasn’t brought 100% to that session. He is a leader.
“As you get older and in that position, where if you have a bad couple of games that people start to write you off. That is the nature of a footballer who is into their 30s. “That just happens.
“You can’t have a bad spell without being told you are finished or your legs have gone.
“He does receive criticism. As captain of the team, I felt that a little bit, that you get the brunt of some things.
“Hopefully, he can be a big part of an Aberdeen team that comes out of a sticky start and really goes and produces something this season.”
At the opposite end of the spectrum young Dylan Lobban is making his mark at Pittodrie. He made his debut against Kilmarnock, his European bow against Larnaca and has since been called up to the Scotland under-21s.
Aberdeen youngster Dylan Lobban(Image: SNS Group)
Lewis always saw something in him, as a young player, coming through with the Dons. The ex-keeper admitted: “Dylan is a great lad. You could see, his ability is there, which is important.
“What I loved about him when I was there was that he seemed like a real leader, amongst the young lads. Dylan would come in and chat to us and even ask us for some kitty money for their Christmas party or whatever.
“He is that type of character where he is not frightened to show himself and what he has got on the pitch. He is also an Aberdeen lad and an Aberdeen supporter. That makes a big difference.
“Hopefully, the supporters give him loads of time and loads of opportunity and don’t judge him too early.”