Hearts v Motherwell preview: Jim Jefferies expects difficult match at Tynecastle

Given the high stakes at tomorrow's Tynecastle showdown, as well as the recent form of Hearts and Motherwell, the visit of the Steelmen should produce the type of excitement and intrigue that SPL officials had in mind when they first introduced the league split.

While Hearts will aim to reclaim a greater lead over fourth-placed Dundee United in the race for third, Motherwell have all to play for in their final league game before the league divides in two.

Even a draw for the Steelmen might not be enough to secure a top-six finish if rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle win at Kilmarnock tomorrow and then perform an unlikely Highlands home double over Hearts and Celtic in their remaining pre-split games.

The Lanarkshire side's players will be under particularly close scrutiny by Stuart McCall as the manager considers his team for next weekend's Scottish Cup semi final against St Johnstone.

Jim Jefferies knows only too well the type of determined challenge to expect having seen his side succumb twice to Motherwell at Tynecastle in the past year. He is also aware that the nature of tomorrow's clash is what drives a man like McCall, whom Jefferies coached during his days as manager of Bradford City

"Since he's gone into Motherwell, the one thing he will do is make them show that hunger and desire," says the Hearts boss of his former player. "He's only just in the job, and he's only just starting now to put his stamp on it and getting the players he wants playing the way he wants. They've been on a great run recently.

"He's very competitive. He was player and caretaker manager when (Billy Brown and I] went there but he didn't really want the job at the time. He played in almost every match and he was Bradford through-and-through. One of his biggest assets is that he's very competitive and wants to win all the time. He'll certainly get that message across, because that's the type of player he was."

McCall's men have lost only once at home in six meetings over the past two months - those games including Fir Park wins over Celtic, Aberdeen, and Dundee United (twice). But, their recent form on the road has been woeful, with two defeats and a draw from their three away games last month against Inverness, United, and Kilmarnock. Although Hearts, accounting for their increasingly high expectations, can not boast of good tidings on their travels with just two wins from seven this calendar year, the Jambos have won all but one of their last six clashes at Tynecastle.

Complacency, though, will not be a factor tomorrow, says Jefferies. The manager insists that even if Hearts can tie up third place with games to spare, he will urge his players to give 100 per cent in the remaining games order in order to play fair with other teams whose status depends on results involving the Jambos. "It would be great to be in a position to get it clinched with games left," he said. "There are games - maybe not against the Old Firm - where I would like to see a couple of youngsters who have done well in the under-19s this year. We have a couple earmarked to be involved in a game. If there are other issues at stake, we'll have to be professional and committed and not just play out time. There's a lot (that many teams] have to play for."

Motherwell striker Jamie Murphy, named player of the round in the quarter final of the national tourney where his side beat United 3-0 in a Fir Park replay, has scored two goals in his last three games - both counters coming in separate meetings with the Arabs - while strike partner John Sutton is in fine form. Hearts' Irish striker Stephen Elliott will be buoyed by his late derby equaliser last Sunday but the maroons will definitely be unable to pair their top goalscorers together, with Kevin Kyle injured and Rudi Skacel doubtful.

"Rudi's one we just have to work on," explained Jefferies. "He has this little problem with his Achilles that sometimes flares up, even after training, and makes it sore. Other days it dies down very quickly.

"Last week, because of the situation on the substitutes bench (against Hibs] we said we'd only use him if we had to, so we stuck him on when we went behind.

"He's had a couple of days off this week. He could be bad today after training and then suddenly he could play on Saturday."

Despite setbacks to his squad selection, Jefferies expects his players and fans alike to be stirred into action by such an important match which marks the 125th anniversary of Tynecastle.

He said: "I think if you went round all the managers and players, I'm sure the biggest percentage would say Tynecastle is the best atmosphere they've played in."