Hearts boss won't demand money from Romanov

Jefferies today outlined his plan to recruit out-of-contract players because he believes that market offers Hearts best value. He has already approached the Aberdeen defender Zander Diamond and Kilmarnock's Mehdi Taouil, both of whom become free agents at the end of the season and are keen to move to Tynecastle.

"I'm not bothered whether I get cash or not because there are a lot of players out of contract," said Jefferies.

"Cash would be nice to go and get some of the ones I'd like, but if it's not there it doesn't stop us bringing in players. There are a lot of players, this year particularly, who are out of contract. The one asset this club has is its great stature. Every player out of contract and doing well for other clubs, Hearts would always be in the frame for their signature. There are a lot of people would like to play at this club, that's the esteem it's held in. Financially, outside the Old Firm, it's always a little bit easier for us. There's hopefully a chance for players to play in Europe too."

Ahead of tomorrow's SPL trip to Inverness, Jefferies hinted at leaving club captain Marius Zaliukas out of the starting line-up. The Lithuanian is free of suspension but is banned again next weekend and Jefferies is conscious of too many week-to-week changes.

"That's the decision I have to make because I could bring Zaliukas back for one game and then have to rejig it again for the next game," he said. "He is available but it might be better if we left things as they are. You never know, I might play Zaliukas, Bouzid and Webster."

Hearts winger David Templeton has been nominated for the SPFA Young Player of the Year award alongside Celtic's Gary Hooper, David Goodwillie of Dundee United and Aberdeen's Chris Maguire. However, Templeton is determined to stay grounded despite all the attention he has received this season.

"It was nice to hear myself being linked with a couple of Premiership clubs. After all, it's the top league in the world and it would be great to go there one day," he said. "But I've got to stay grounded for now. I still live the same life. I stay in Glasgow so don't get much attention from fans, an approach occasionally but nothing compared to what it would be like in Edinburgh.

"I had a good first six months but since January I haven't been playing as well. Teams have doubled up on me. It's a compliment they try to stop my threat but also annoying."

The SPL yesterday announced its post-split fixtures which sees Hearts entertain Motherwell next Saturday, April 24. Then come trips to Kilmarnock and Rangers, a midweek home match with Celtic before a season-ending visit to Dundee United.

SPL post-split fixtures:

Saturday, April 23

Top six: Dundee United v Kilmarnock (12.15pm); Hearts v Motherwell (3pm) Sunday, April 24 Top six: Rangers v Celtic (12.30pm). Bottom six: Hibs v St Mirren (3pm) Monday, April 25 Bottom six: St Johnstone v Inverness CT (2pm); Hamilton Accies v Aberdeen (4.15pm)

Saturday, April 30

Top six: Kilmarnock v Hearts (3pm); Motherwell v Rangers (noon) Bottom six: Aberdeen v Inverness CT; Hibs v St Johnstone (3pm) Sunday, May 1 Top six: Celtic v Dundee United (12.45pm) Monday, May 2 Bottom six: St Mirren v Hamilton Accies (3pm)

Saturday, May 7

Top six: Dundee United v Motherwell (3pm); Rangers v Hearts (12.15pm) Bottom six: Aberdeen v St Johnstone; Hamilton Accies v Hibs; Inverness CT v St Mirren (all 3pm) Sunday, May 8 Top six: Kilmarnock v Celtic (12.45pm)

Tuesday, May 10

Top six: Rangers v Dundee United (7.45pm) Bottom six: Aberdeen v St Mirren, St Johnstone v Hamilton Accies (both 7.45pm) Wednesday, May 11 Top six: Hearts v Celtic; Motherwell v Kilmarnock (both 7.45pm) Bottom six: Inverness CT v Hibs (7.45pm)

Saturday, May 14

Bottom six: Hamilton Accies v Inverness CT; Hibs v Aberdeen; St Mirren v St Johnstone (all 3pm).

Sunday, May 15

Top six: Celtic v Motherwell; Dundee United v Hearts; Kilmarnock v Rangers (all 12.30pm)