Hearts reveal Dubai change of plan, address post-match kerfuffle, and note colour of Sir Alex Ferguson's tie

The Tynecastle manager could take such a setback in his stride on a day when he enjoyed an hour-long audience with Sir Alex Ferguson before his side’s latest Premiership victory.

McInnes underlined that "more important things are going on” in the Middle East. Dubai airport has been closed amid targeted missile strikes across the Middle East by Iran in retaliation to a joint attack by the United States and Israel early on Saturday morning.

Hearts had been set to spend five days training in Dubai as they bid to win their first Scottish league title since 1960. They will now train as normal in Edinburgh.

“I don't think we'll be going away,” he said. “I think we woke up this morning and we were kind of resigned we'll no’ be travelling. I think there's more important things going on. That's fine. It's disappointing, obviously, because we spoke of the benefits of it. We might push it down the line – there will be opportunities between now and the end of the season when we could do a similar booking. The same amount of training dates we were due to do in Dubai, we will do the same here. The lads will then get the weekend off and then have a full working week going into the Kilmarnock game.”

Hearts have a fortnight before their next game, at Rugby Park. They are now deep into the run-in. Asked if he planned to watch Sunday’s Old Firm match between the teams lying second and third in the league, McInnes replied: “Of course I am watching it. Are you mad?! I am looking forward to it actually. It’s always an interesting game.”

The manager is clearly relishing the situation as his side continue to handle the pressure of a title chase. Hearts did what they had to do by beating a poor Aberdeen side. Claudio Braga’s first half goal – the Portuguese’s 15th of the season – was the difference. Aberdeen interim manager Peter Leven was angry about the denial of a second-half penalty after substitute Stuart Armstrong was nudged from behind by defender Michael Steinwender.

“We got a player sent off last week when (Tony) Yogane cut across Liam Morrison and for me it was similar,” said Leven, with reference to last Saturday's 3-2 defeat by Dundee at Pittodrie. “I watched it back. Stuart Armstrong gets across the defender and it is not shoulder to shoulder. He (Steinwender) leans into the back of him with a knee as well and for me it is a penalty.”

There was a kerfuffle after the final whistle. Aberdeen midfielder Dennis Geiger later accused McInnes of pushing into him from behind as the players and backroom staff mingled on the pitch. The Hearts manager was short and to the point: “We just shook hands there, he's fine," he said. "It wasn't me that pushed him. He wasn't happy, but it was fine. No issues there.”

McInnes confirmed he had spent time before kick-off with Ferguson, who was at Tynecastle as a guest of Hearts. The 84-year-old former manager of Aberdeen and Manchester United will also attend Sunday’s Old Firm clash.

“I saw him before the game,” he said. “I sat in the office for about an hour before the game. He got here early, so I'll catch up with him when I finish with you guys.” Asked if he had noticed the colour of Ferguson’s tie – maroon, he replied: “Yes, I seen it. Noted.”