Alex Ferguson aids Hearts in historic title chase

McInnes, who played for Rangers under Walter Smith in the 1990s, has maintained a close friendship with the 84-year-old Ferguson. The legendary manager will be at Tynecastle on Saturday to watch Hearts face Aberdeen, with the leaders four points clear of second-placed Rangers and six ahead of Celtic.

McInnes is aiming to become the first non-Celtic or Rangers manager to win the top flight since Ferguson led Aberdeen to the 1985 crown. He described the former United boss as a sounding board, noting that Ferguson offers "little nuggets of experience" from his glittering managerial career, including 13 Premier League titles.