Jambos told to step it up

JIM JEFFERIES has welcomed the 'business end' of Hearts' pre-season schedule as his team prepare to face German Bundesliga 2 side Union Berlin later today.

Jefferies has seen the Jambos in free-scoring form in three relatively low-key friendlies so far, but sees today's test in Germany's Capital as a match that will serve to illustrate how far his new-look squad has progressed ahead of the SPL kick-off two weeks today.

"It's a big step up against Union Berlin, and that's what we need to do now at this stage – step up," said Jefferies.

"I'm giving everybody a chance to let me have a look at them.

"Some have a wee bit to find, which is understandable, and some are a wee bit ahead of what I'd thought, and some have impressed me.

"Already, there are one or two who I have made my mind up that they are ready.

"The ones that aren't quite up to speed, you let them know quietly and look for a reaction."

New signings Jamie Hamill, John Sutton, Mehdi Taouil, and Danny Grainger have all been active in warm-up games so far and have impressed to varying degrees.

Jefferies has cited David Templeton as a leading example of an individual who has made a significant impact during the past fortnight.

"There are good players here who could show better," said the 60-year-old boss.

"They've got to be honest with themselves and look at the next game as a chance to improve their level of performance.

"There's one or two now who don't need that talk – look at wee Temps. He's on fire at the moment and it's now about making sure he's on fire at the start of the season."

After playing local league teams in Italy and Germany and Scottish Second Division side East Fife, Jefferies said the better class of opponent in Union Berlin, coupled with the intense atmosphere of a stadium expected to be sold out, should inspire his charges to perform at a higher level than in recent games.

"In these games, with the tempo, they get dragged in," he said of Hearts' previous three challenges. "But it'll not be like that against Union as they are up there with the better teams in the First Division (Bundesliga 2] like Dresden and St Pauli. They're always tough: they always give big sides – bigger sides than us – trouble. It's going to be a tough match – we've heard there are 16,000 expected at the game and they're fanatical."