Hearts boss eyes summer signing targets

Hearts boss Jim Jefferies has revealed his summer signing targets are in place and that imminent moves to bring in new players hinge on the club sealing third place in the league.

The Jambos could secure a final placing behind the Old Firm this weekend should they beat Kilmarnock and Dundee United lose to Celtic, and Jefferies is keen to initiate discussions with club owner Vladimir Romanov about bringing new blood to Tynecastle.

In the meantime, the manager admits there is a lot of pressure on his team to achieve an automatic European spot.

"Once – or if – third place is confirmed, we can try to get settled what we're going to do. There's a lot riding on it, but right now it's best to leave that and just focus on getting there first. It might take a visit (to Mr Romanov] and that would see us make all the decisions.

We've done all the spadework and hinted and kept him in touch with things. But, when we sit town and find out what we can do, it will only be after we've clinched third place."

Once a conclusion is reached in the race for third place, Jefferies will set his sights on hitting the same heights next season. He suggests, however, that the fortunes of those looking to challenge Rangers and Celtic is largely dependent on the Glasgow pair's strength in this summer's transfer market.

"I'll be telling the players the same as I told them this year, that we've got to be in there challenging for third," said Jefferies. "I think there may be an opportunity depending on how Rangers and Celtic spend in the summer. If they don't, there's maybe an opportunity for someone to get close. But, if Rangers get taken over and get 30m thrust into them and buy top quality players it will just make it harder for the rest of us. There will be a good challenge for third and fourth places, and if there's a possibility to get closer to Rangers and Celtic we've got to take the challenge up."