How Sir Alex Ferguson influence is helping Hearts' historic title charge ahead of Tynecastle visit

The Jambos boss first got to know the former Manchester United manager when he played for Rangers under Ferguson’s friend Walter Smith in the 1990s.

The pair have remained in contact ever since and the 84-year-old Glaswegian will be at Tynecastle as a guest of McInnes for Saturday’s clash with Aberdeen as Hearts attempt to tighten their grip on top spot in the William Hill Premiership.

McInnes is bidding to become the first manager of a non-Old Firm club to win the Scottish top flight since Ferguson led Aberdeen to glory in 1985.

“I spoke to him again today, actually,” McInnes said on Wednesday when asked about how much attention the revered ex-Red Devils boss was paying to the remarkable story unfolding at Tynecastle this season.

“He was at St Mirren (against Motherwell) last Saturday and he’s coming to our game on Saturday, so I’m looking forward to catching up with him. I asked him if he fancied coming along and he said ‘aye’. He’s going to the Rangers v Celtic game on Sunday, so he’s coming to see us now on Saturday as well. He’ll be our guest and I’m looking forward to seeing him.

“He’s well aware of the situation. He knows my players, he’s well aware of who’s who, and some of them still can’t get their head around that when I tell them.”

Asked if he felt Ferguson was rooting for Hearts to end the 40-year Old Firm duopoly by winning the title, McInnes said: “I’m pretty sure that is the case, but I don’t know if he’s phoning other managers!”

McInnes feels privileged to have such a high-pedigree managerial figure as a sounding board.

“He’s good to give you little pointers and little nuggets of experience that he had in run-ins and things like that, so he’s been good as gold,” he said. “Every conversation I have with him I feel privileged and I always get something from it because he’s lived it. He’s done title wins and these sort of situations when there’s a lot of high pressure, and obviously the irony is it was his team who last won it (outside Rangers and Celtic).

“There’s so much that he says is valid and worthwhile and worth listening to. I take notes as I’m talking to him, because even when he’s just speaking and talking away, you’ll pick up things. It’s nice that he’s reached out to me and been speaking a lot recently.”

McInnes revealed that key defender Stuart Findlay is facing six weeks out with a hamstring injury sustained against Falkirk on Saturday while Brazilian midfielder Ageu is out for the rest of the season with a thigh issue.

In addition, back-up goalkeeper Craig Gordon is facing several weeks on the sidelines with a shoulder issue and is doubtful for Scotland’s friendly double-header against Japan and Ivory Coast next month. Midfield pair Oisin McEntee and Beni Baningime have a chance of returning against Aberdeen this weekend.