Hearts boss aims to Seal third before SPL split

Published on Wednesday 2 February 2011 11:00

HEARTS manager Jim Jefferies today challenged his players to secure third place and European football before the SPL split in mid-April.

Last night's 1-0 defeat by Rangers at Ibrox leaves Hearts five points off second place and ten points adrift of league leaders Celtic. However, they hold a 12-point advantage over fourth-placed Kilmarnock and are consequently firm favourites to finish third.

Whilst no-one at Riccarton would relinquish hope of splitting the Old Firm, Jefferies has implored his players to finalise third spot over the next nine games before the SPL split.

"There's nothing wrong with our spirit and determination and if we keep showing that we'll get enough points to clinch that third place even before we go into the split. That should be their target now. I've got every confidence we'll do that," he said.

"We've just played five games in a fortnight. Three of those have been against the Old Firm. We had a tough match away from home against a team going well in Kilmarnock. St Johnstone are always a stuffy side, so to come out with nine points from the five games isn't bad. It's not a disaster for us. We now have the Old Firm out of the way and we can look into the nine games between now and the split."

Most of Hearts' first-team squad have been given time off until Monday as their next match is not until Saturday week, when they meet Hamilton at New Douglas Park. "We will be stronger in the next game that's for sure, because we think Kevin Kyle and Lee Wallace will be back," continued Jefferies. "It's been a tough run and the boys deserve a break so we won't see them till Monday. Andy

Driver will get 90 minutes in a game we've got arranged against East Fife on Saturday, so we should be a bit stronger by the time the next match comes round."

Hearts have signed the Lithuanian striker Evaldas Razulis on loan from FBK Kaunas for the remainder of the season as cover for the injured Kyle. The 6ft 3in forward is viewed as a potential deputy should Kyle's fitness becomes an on-going problem.

Meanwhile, Hearts signing target Andy Webster is expected to reach a final decision on his future within the next few days after receiving contract offers from both Hearts and Hibs.

The Scotland defender held talks with Jefferies on Tuesday and then drove to Hibs' East Mains training ground to enter discussions with Easter Road officials. He will also consult other clubs interested in his signature, including Dundee United, Aberdeen and teams in England, before deciding on his next move after being released by Rangers on Monday.

"He's got a lot of options and some decent offers. Our talks went well," said Jefferies. "My talk was all about the football side and he knows all about the club anyway. It's all about the other side of it and if we can get an agreement. But we'll put him under no pressure. It's up to him. We've done what we can and he will listen to offers elsewhere and then make his decision.

"If it's about footballing terms, then he looked to me quite eager to come, but you never know. We'll wait and see if his agent and our people can agree a deal."