Derek McInnes as Hearts boss left Beni Baningime in state of fear but long ball dread now vanquished
Lawrence Shankland and Barrie McKay put the midfielder's fears of the Kilmarnock boss bringing in route one football to bed
Beni Baningime admits the initial prospect of Derek McInnes taking charge of Hearts triggered long ball dread.
But after a dose of dressing room reassurance from Lawrence Shankland and Barrie McKay, the midfielder’s fears of the Kilmarnock boss bringing in a route one style have been put to bed.
McInnes is expected to be unveiled as Neil Critchley’s replacement early next week and Baningime believes his impressions of the 53-year-old have been wide of the mark.
He said: “If he’s the new manager, for me it was just about finding out what sort of style of play he has.
“I spoke to Shanks and Barrie and they told me he’s a really, really good manager. Obviously Kilmarnock’s style of play is a little bit different from ours – from what I’ve seen, it’s long balls and that sort of stuff.
“I was wondering about that so I asked them, ‘How will the style of play fit in here?’.
“But I was told before that, when he was at Aberdeen, he was really good where he was guiding the club to second and third places a lot.
“I didn’t know that, so asking the boys and them clearing it up put my mind at ease.
“In my four years here, I didn’t know anything different. I did get a bit of a fright, because I’m not really that sort of player.
“I’m more about getting the ball to feet, on the ground.
“I’m not saying I’m not up for the fight. But I wouldn’t really want to have the ball played over my head. I’m reassured now.”
The arrival of McInnes is expected to trigger huge changes within the squad and, with plenty of head-to-heads with Killie, Baningime is in no doubt the new gaffer will bring some much-needed fight and defensive steel.
He said: “I hate playing Kilmarnock. I hate it! They are so hard to play against.
“If that is what we’re going to be in terms of being hard to beat, honestly I love that because you need that in your team.
“If your manager is driving that, then that’s going to be absolutely brilliant for us.”
The playmaker will allow events to unfold as the new manager gets his feet under the table.
And Baningime admits a summer of self-reflection lies in store for a squad who failed to secure a top-six finish.
The 26-year-old added: “I’d say intrigued is the right word as I just want to see what’s going to happen. I remember talking after the cup semi-final, the first thing that happens when a manager loses his job is I look within.
“I think, ‘Could I have done better?’. Obviously I texted the gaffer and wished him all the best.
“I’m just looking forward to seeing what the new manager brings. From what I’ve heard, he’s a really good manager and everyone’s been speaking very highly of him.
“Shanks is probably our best player. If he’s saying that, then I am excited to work with him.”
First, though, Hearts host a St Johnstone side fighting for survival and Baningime knows it could be a final Tynecastle bow for several players over and above confirmed outgoing pair McKay and Jorge Grant.
But the Congolese hopes skipper Shankland is tied down to a new deal.
He said: “Ultimately for him, he has to make that decision.
“If it were up to me? Give him anything he wants!”