22 hours ago
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Derek McInnes says neither his or Heart of Midlothian's bubble has been burst by the defeat on penalties against St Mirren that ended their Premier Sports Cup progress.
Hearts had until last week won all four group matches in the competition and had two victories from their opening two Premiership games.
The former Kilmarnock boss admits it was a tough defeat to take in Paisley, but insists plenty of positivity remains within the Hearts squad.
"My bubble's not burst - my bubble is absolutely bubbling - so we're good," he said.
"We're disappointed with the result - I'm not going to try and diminish the performance and the disappointment - because we set ourselves up to try and be a good cup team this season.
"We lost to a team who finished above us last year, on penalties. We were the better team for 75 minutes, I felt. I'm disappointed we didn't forced the issue and get the winning goal before we got to penalties.
"But I am totally focused on making sure that we continue what's been a good start.
"We've got a lot going for us here, and it's important we maximise what that is, by keeping the positivity within the boys and the support.
"Whereas I don't think you're ever as good as people think you are when you're winning games, I don't think you're ever as bad when you lose games."
Hearts will look to continue their successful league campaign with a win against Motherwell on Saturday, who also have a new manager in Jens Berthel Askou.
McInnes has been impressed from what he has seen so far from the early coaching effect the Dane has had at the Lanarkshire club.
"A total difference in styles, really. Previous managers at Motherwell were a bit more cagey, playing 3-5-2," added McInnes.
"This season, they are really committed to ball possession and committed to a possession-based game.
"Everybody is asked to take the ball in tight areas and bring the opposition onto you, and I think the manager has clearly done some good work in a short period of time."
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