Derek McInnes said all the right things as he was unveiled as the Heart of Midlothian manager yesterday.
The 53-year-old insists he has always wanted to manage Hearts, he feels it's a good fit and would have been gutted to see someone else land the job instead of him.
He also talked about how he wants to be a hard team to beat, to "annoy" opponents and hit them between the eyes right from the start of games. That will all be music to the ears of fans in Gorgie.
One of the factors that makes working at Tynecastle right now so attractive is the link-up with Jamestown Analytics and the expected investment from Brighton owner Tony Bloom.
McInnes reckons both will be a "comfort" to him as a manager and he is certainly glad to have them on his side rather that in opposition.
He said: “I’ve looked closely at the work he’s been involved in, everyone at the club is excited about the partnership, the collaboration and the added investment.
“There’s real evidence, USG in Belgium will likely win the league next week and that’s a great story. Brighton, everyone knows the improvements there over the last while.
Read more: The reason Dundee's 22 goal striker Simon Murray hasn't been called up by Scotland
Lyall Cameron reflects on Rangers transfer pressure and Dundee flak
“I think there’s a lot of people out there who scoff at it all and are sceptical of it all because it’s not the norm in Scottish football.
“But for me, having that expertise, knowledge and infrastructure is important because they can help me build a squad. It’s up to me and my staff to build a team within that.
“Having them on board with us is a real comfort as a manager and I’d rather have them with me than against me.”
A pressing matter for the former St Johnstone, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock boss is the contract situation of Lawrence Shankland, set to be come a free agent as is stands.
But McInnes, who previously signed the player at Pittodrie, is desperate to try and thrash out a new deal to ensure the 29-year-old is bulging nets for him in the years to come.
“If we've got an opportunity to keep him then we should do all we can to keep him, because he's Scottish, he gives you 20-odd goals a season," he insisted.
"He could maybe get more than that if you give him the right service and get him closer to the goal.
“I do believe that working with Lawrence would be brilliant. We've got someone already there who can give us what we are looking for at the top end of the pitch.
“Ultimately, it didn't work out for him at Aberdeen and there is no shame in that. Sometimes it takes a player a bit longer to find his way. But he did find his way.
"He became a Scotland internationalist, he goes to the Euros, he becomes a really relevant player in the Scottish Premiership and a player that I would love to work with, because he's a boy that I'm really fond of.
“I know his family. I would love to continue with him."
