Defeat doesn't detract from Jefferies' bid to catch Hibs

HEARTS manager Jim Jefferies still has Hibernian in his sights despite yesterday's defeat to Rangers at Ibrox.

Jefferies remains confident the Tynecastle side can claim a Europa League place and believes three home matches from their last four could tip the balance in Hearts' favour.

"Hibs lost yesterday and if we had got something here today then we could have closed the gap," said Jefferies, following the 2-0 loss to Walter Smith's champions-elect.

"Hibs are six points in front (of us]. Who knows what might happen next week? If Rangers beat them to win the title and we get a result at home (against Motherwell] then we close the gap, and we still have to play them.

"We are at home now for three of four matches so there is still a lot to play for."

Jefferies is eager to see Hearts move up from sixth place and set his team out in a 4-4-2 formation yesterday at Ibrox. However, such an adventurous outlook foundered on the fact that neither of the two forwards employed by Jefferies are out-and-out strikers.

Hearts began with David Obua and Suso Santana in attack but they proved understandably ineffective against the defence with the best record in the country.

"The boys passed it about well but when we got into the last third we did not have the cutting edge," explained Jefferies.

"Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller did not have their best games today (for Rangers] but always looked dangerous.

"We do not have strikers with that natural instinct and although David (Obua] has done great for us he is not a natural goalscorer, while Suso is not a recognised striker either.

"We know that that's an area which has been a problem all season so we will try and put it right in the summer."

Miller's 20th goal of the season came courtesy of a penalty after Eggert Jonsson was shown a straight red card for a shove on Steven Naismith.

Jefferies said: "The players thought it was a bit soft.

"I thought we were very comfortable in the first half. The first goal was always going to settle Rangers down but, if we had got it, they might have got a little nervous."

Jefferies looked ahead to the end of the season and the imminent overhaul of the playing squad.

He noted Laryea Kingston's impressive contribution at Ibrox yesterday, with the midfielder's contract due to expire at the end of this season.

The future of Kingston and others at Tynecastle may, however, hinge on belt-tightening.

"Wage bills have to be cut so we have to look at areas where they can be cut," said Jefferies.

"It may be that I want to keep him (Kingston] and he doesn't accept the deal. That can happen.

"It's the same with a few others – we might want to keep them and if they say no to the offer then they go out of contract.

"We will get these games out of the road and then ask them what they want to do.

"There are others with contracts who I might not want to keep as well. It's going to be a busy time."