Derek McInnes insisted Celtic still hold all the aces as he stuck steadfastly to his policy of downplaying Hearts’ title chances after a convincing 3-1 victory over the ailing champions took his buoyant side eight points clear at the top of the William Hill Premiership.

The Jambos find themselves in uncharted territory, enjoying the size of lead no team outside Glasgow has held at any point during the past four decades of unbroken Old Firm dominance of the Scottish top flight.

McInnes felt his high-flying side “dealt with the game really well” after Dane Murray’s early own goal at a pumped-up Tynecastle was swiftly cancelled out by Celtic captain Callum McGregor’s equaliser before the hosts turned the screw early in the second half with an Alexandros Kyziridis strike and a Lawrence Shankland penalty.

“I genuinely don’t think anybody’s dreaming (within the dressing room),” said the Hearts boss, referring to the growing sense that his side can become the first outside Rangers or Celtic to win the Scottish title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen triumphed in 1985.

“The games are coming thick and fast and I’m not looking beyond that. I get it and understand it (the title talk) because it’s unusual for any team...