Hearts boss says one more win could secure top-six status

The Tynecastle manager is looking to cement his team's place in the upper echelons of the SPL as soon as possible following Sunday's defeat to Dundee United and said today that winning at Fir Park this weekend may be all that is required depending on Aberdeen's results thereafter.

Hearts have scheduled their visit to Motherwell on Scottish Cup weekend, while Aberdeen are inactive until the following Wednesday. "One more win, maybe a win and a draw, should be enough. The games ahead are winnable," said Jefferies. "If you go to Aberdeen, Dundee United and then Motherwell, you would accept a draw at every one of those grounds. That would only get you three points, and we got those at Pittodrie.

"We're a wee bit disappointed but we'll make up for it next week. If we get a win, we'll be back on track.

"With the three wins we chalked up recently, everyone starts thinking we can challenge the teams above us and it's quite right to think like that. That's the expectation level I want and it's what I want the players to think. But, at the same time, we're keeping our feet on the ground.

"It's all about getting in the top six. We have a healthy seven-point lead and there are five games left.

"We need to win one, maybe two at the most, and that would make it hard for anybody to catch us."

Jefferies heaped praise on midfielder Paul Mulrooney for his "outstanding" display at Tannadice.

The 20-year-old was a late replacement for Michael Stewart in the starting line-up after the Hearts captain felt a calf injury stiffen ten minutes before kick-off. Despite the lack of preparation time, Mulrooney gave an exemplary display of industrious midfield play before being withdrawn with cramp eight minutes from time. "I don't think there was any doubt the boy was outstanding," said Jefferies. "He was thrust in with no preparation, maybe he didn't have time to worry about it. Perhaps if we'd told him he was playing the night before he wouldn't have slept.

"But he went in there against their regular midfield players and was up winning the ball, passing it well and competed.

"He isn't the most sturdy. Like many of the young players here, he's maybe a little short in terms of physical presence for competing regularly at this level. But that will come.

"He should be really pleased with his performance on Sunday and you could understand him being taken off with cramp because he covered every blade of grass for us."

Jefferies is hopeful that another youngster, Scott Robinson, will return to training this week after a knee injury.

"Scott is probably going to train this week, which is a boost up front," he continued.

"Craig Thomson will be back shortly but our options are still limited. Ruben Palazuelos is a couple of weeks away but Eggert Jonsson is back from suspension this Saturday along with Larry Kingston."