'A right-footed Kenny McLean' - 24 y/o backed for Scotland honours after shining in title push

The 24-year-old has swiftly become a key player for the Premiership leaders since being signed in January to fill the void left by an injury to Cammy Devlin.

Leonard played for his country at every level up to under-21, and McInnes believes he has shown enough in his seven starts for Hearts to suggest he is destined for full international recognition.

“Marc has been the one player that we’ve brought in January who’s come in and been a mainstay in the team,” the manager said in a club interview.

“The January window is not always easy for players to settle and come in and have that impact, but for him to come in says a lot about him.

“He reminds me of a lot of players that I’ve worked with before. He’s got real confidence. He actually reminds me a wee bit of a right-footed Kenny McLean, when I had Kenny at Aberdeen.

“He carries himself brilliantly, has so much confidence in his abilities, he’s a really popular boy. I think Marc Leonard’s going to have a real top career. He’ll be a future Scotland internationalist. I think he’s done so well.”

Leonard’s influence since his arrival has helped Hearts keep their title bid on track amid a spate of injuries to key players.

While many expect the Edinburgh club to feel the pressure of trying to become the first non-Old Firm team to win the title since 1985, McInnes is adamant his players remain unfazed by the task at hand after more than five months at the top of the table.

“The players deserve so much credit,” he said. “A lot is made out of the recruitment and obviously recruitment is vitally important to any club, but the players are the ones that need to go over the line and produce under all sorts of different challenges.

“To be honest, I speak to the players often enough, we work with them closely, we see them day in, day out, and we’re not really seeing any real change.

“If we can keep recognising the opportunity that’s there, which I think we do, then let’s just see where it takes us. I feel that we’re in a good place. We feel comfortable where we are.

“But we know that the business end of the season is still ahead of us and it’s important we get down that final straight in the best form as possible.

“Nine games to go, a lot can happen. It’s still almost a quarter of the season remaining, so there’s 27 points to win, but there’s also 27 points to lose for teams. I do think there will be some twists and turns. Hopefully we just do our job well enough.”