Hearts: Fans rally to return of Jim Jefferies

HEARTS today offered a collective "thank you" to their home supporters for their backing since Jim Jefferies returned to Tynecastle, with club officials believing the boost in attendances can help secure a top-six place.

Today's Edinburgh derby is a sellout, while the other two Tynecastle fixtures since Jefferies returned to the club – against Falkirk and Hamilton – have produced crowds of around the 14,000 mark.

Hearts believe that installing Jefferies as manager contributed heavily to what they view as a relative rise in home crowds.

A club spokesperson said: "Despite having only played two out of our last seven games at home, we've noticed a boost to the crowds in relative terms at Tynecastle since Jim returned to Hearts.

"Our supporters have been excellent all season and Jim's return seems to have galvanised the fans once again. Today's game against Hibs has been a sellout for over a week now – based on only a few single seats being left for sale – and ticket sales for the Rangers game next week at Tynecastle are also selling very well.

"It is widely acknowledged by many players and supporters of clubs around the country that Tynecastle has a unique atmosphere when the ground is full and, with the proximity of the stands to the pitch, it can be a very special experience.

"We have three of our remaining four pre-split fixtures at Tynecastle – Hibs, Rangers and Kilmarnock – and it certainly looks like the fans are rallying around to help the team reach the top six."

• TO buy tickets for Rangers' visit to Tynecastle on Saturday, 27 March, call 0871 663 1874 (option 1), visit www.heartsfc.co.uk or call in at the Tynecastle ticket centre, superstore or city store.