Hearts boss says Christian Nade has to work hard to get back in team on merit

• Christian Nade

That was the message today from manager Jim Jefferies when asked about the soon to be out of contract Frenchman's future.

Nade's deal has just weeks to run and discussions on a renewal have not produced an agreement so he may be forced to leave Tynecastle at the end of the season.

Before then, he must show the required endeavour if he wishes to return to the first team, where there are now five other forwards challenging in his position.

"Christian is like every other player, most of it is a footballing decision," said Jefferies. "Other people get in, and who could complain about David Obua and Gary Glen last week? If they continue to do that it just means anybody, Christian Nade included, will have to knuckle down and do extremely well in training and games to get back in favour. He has to be patient, keep his eye in training and put pressure on the players who are in the team."

Glen and Obua were expected to start today's SPL game with Rangers at Tynecastle, while Calum Elliot, Scott Robinson and Gordon Smith are also vying for places in the team.

"If players are out injured they aren't just going to walk back in if the team is doing well," continued Jefferies. "If the balance of the side is right then that's something they have to accept. It happens at most football clubs. It's a good problem for me if everybody is vying for a place. If you've got the jersey at Hearts, there are good players waiting to coming in, so you better play to keep your place."

And Jefferies revealed that the attitude shown by midfielder Larry Kingston – often criticised for a lack of application – had impressed him during the last week.

"Larry had a wee tight hamstring after last weekend, just to do with not having played many matches. You expect little aches and pains but I gave him the option on Monday of doing the warm-up and just some stretching. He said he was fine and wanted to do the rest of the training, so there are no problems."