Boss Jefferies reveals Hearts fan Gary will be his secret weapon

Published on Thursday 18 March 2010 08:52

JIM JEFFERIES will unleash an inspirational secret weapon on the Hearts players during the pre-match build-up to Saturday's Edinburgh derby – first-team coach Gary Locke.

Determined to avoid a recurrence of last weekend's insipid opening in the 3-1 defeat at Fir Park, Jefferies will entrust Locke with the task of geeing up the squad from the moment they arrive at Tynecastle.

"Lockie will be waiting for them in the morning. As soon as they arrive he'll be at them, that's for sure," said Jefferies.

"Billy Brown and I will have our say but Lockie will take it upon himself to get round everybody. We have boys who have played in enough derbies and know what it means, but Lockie will just be that little bit of assurance. He will leave the players in no doubt just how big a game it is.

"If anybody needs motivated for this game then, I'm sorry, they just shouldn't be here. In any derby, you'll find both teams know what it's about. The supporters will make sure the atmosphere is terrific and everyone knows what Tynecastle is like for atmosphere. We'd be questioning people if they weren't up for it. That isn't going to be a problem."

Hearts have several players doubtful for the match including captain Michael Stewart, which Jefferies admits is a source of disappointment.

"Calum Elliot is certainly doubtful. Michael Stewart is still doubtful, so is Marius Zaliukas, so is Ian Black, so is Ruben Palazuelos. They are all not too far away but I'm not sure whether they will make Saturday.

"It's frustrating we can't get some of them back for such a big game but it's an opportunity for others who can take their place."

Andy Driver, Craig Thomson and Scott Robinson could feature for Hearts after overcoming their respective injury troubles, while Gary Glen staked his claim by scoring in a 1-0 closed-door victory over Kilmarnock on Tuesday.

Jefferies has admitted that the 19-year-old impressed in the match and is now in his thoughts for a starting berth in a two-man forward line for the derby alongside the versatile Ugandan David Obua.

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