As he faced the media on Friday, McInnes said the game couldn’t come soon enough for him but he admitted the occasion, with an unusual tea-time kick-off on a bank holiday, was one worth looking forward to.

“I wish the game was tomorrow because it’s like you just want to get the game played,” he said. “But of course you look forward to these games.

“I love the games at Tynecastle, and in particular the whole build-up to it, so there’s obviously a lot riding on the game. We can’t downplay that and why would we?

“It’s a brilliant game to be involved in and I think all the Hearts supporters that I’ve spoken to are eagerly anticipating the game. Monday at half five is unusual but it’s not going to dilute what’s going to be unfolding.

“The start of the game will be magnificent, and hopefully the end of the game is even better.”

The Hearts head coach says Rangers will be hurting after last week’s loss at home to Motherwell and, given the level of investment this season, they will be seeking an instant response as the games begin to run out.

“I think when you spend £40m assembling a squad, you expect to win games,” he said. “So for us to even be ahead of a team who have spent that type of money is an incredible achievement.

“From our point of view you would expect a challenge from Rangers when there’s that level of investment. They’ve got so many good players and every game against them has been really quite competitive.

“We’ve obviously won a couple, we’ve lost one at Ibrox recently in February so we’re well aware of what we need to do to come out the other end of it.

“To overcome good teams you need to concentrate on your own performance and hopefully we can be good enough. I understand the nerves but I want the supporters not to be nervous.”