Derek McInnes responds to Leicester links and reveals Hearts are being hindered in transfer market

Hearts boss addresses speculation and provides transfer update

Hearts manager Derek McInnes has dismissed reports linking him with the Leicester City vacancy.

The English Championship side are said to have placed the Scotsman under consideration after sacking Marti Cifuentes on Sunday.

McInnes has steered Hearts to the top of the Scottish Premiership in his first season in charge at Tynecastle as the club targets a first title win since 1960.

The 54-year-old was also touted for the Rangers job following Russell Martin’s sacking in October but reiterated that he had no interest in leaving Hearts.

"I don't know where that's came from," McInnes told Sky Sports when asked if there had been any contact from Leicester. "Obviously, a club looking for a manager. These things you just take with a pinch of salt, really. I think it's clear that my focus is here. I'm in the job that I want and I think there's work to be done here. I just want to make sure we finish the season as strongly as we can."

McInnes revealed he hopes to sign a new striker before the transfer window closes but admitted the club are being hindered by their status as league leaders.

Hearts have already recruited Islam Chesnokov, Jordi Altena and Marc Leonard this month, while Uganda winger Rogers Mato is set to finalise his move to Tynecastle imminently.

The Jambos are eager to add a new attacker after learning last week that top scorer Lawrence Shankland was set to be sidelined until March with a hamstring issue.

But McInnes believes clubs are trying to squeeze more money out of them because they are flying high in Scotland and due to their link-up with Brighton owner Tony Bloom and Jamestown Analytics.

"We'd still like to do one more if we can," he said. "The difficulty we're finding is becuase of our position in the league, clubs are now aware of Tony Bloom, and everybody thinks we're awash with money, which we aren't. Sometimes players that we had identified soon become outwith our reach because clubs start to raise the fee and raise wages and all the rest of it.

"We're constantly up against it in that sense but I think the club have been really supportive of what we're trying to do. We would like to bring in one more if we can but if the window shuts and we've got what we've got in the building I'm confident we can make a right fist of it."