Hearts: A year of many happy returns

Review of 2010: Jefferies back at his spiritual home to reawaken Jam Tarts and challenge the Old Firm

The year 2010 will forever be remembered for Jim Jefferies' return to Hearts. As it draws to a close, his influence on the Edinburgh club becomes evermore apparent as they threaten to once again challenge Scotland's Old Firm.

Ironically, 2010 began with Hearts enjoying a fine unbeaten league run having not lost since their infamous visit to Hamilton on December 6, 2009. The sequence would eventually stretch to seven matches before Aberdeen recorded a convincing 3-0 win at Tynecastle. Two days later, manager Csaba Laszlo was sacked.

Ushering the Hungarian out of office cleared the path for Jefferies to be reunited with the club he had supported since childhood. He left Hearts ten years previously with his name already engraved in club folklore following the 1998 Scottish Cup success. His return, therefore, was an appointment favoured by many supporters.

Having left his job at Kilmarnock in early January, Jefferies was fresh and ripe for a homecoming. Within four hours of Laszlo's dismissal, Hearts confirmed his replacement in a managerial change for which the term "whirlwind" could have been coined specifically.

The appointment would underpin the remaining 11 months of the year and instigate a revival in fortunes at Tynecastle. Hearts required reinvigorating and Jefferies' motivational techniques were central to the success of his first spell as manager. Players, supporters and the board hoped luring him back would prompt him to re-create even a smattering of that success. Initially, with assistants Billy Brown and Gary Locke by his side, he took time to assess the squad at his disposal and pledged to secure top-six status with Hearts fifth upon Laszlo's departure. The day after Jefferies' appointment brought a 1-0 loss at St Johnstone before a defeat to St Mirren in the Co-operative Cup semi-final three days later and then a 2-0 reverse at Celtic Park.

Unperturbed, Jefferies continued casting his eye over the players and challenged everyone to cement a place at first-team level. He had procured Ryan Stevenson from Ayr United close to the end of the January transfer window and, with injuries mounting, the midfielder was instantly thrust into the side.

Victories over Aberdeen at Pittodrie and Hibernian at Tynecastle offered evidence of how new-look Hearts could flourish. They secured a top-six place in the SPL ironically against Kilmarnock in Jefferies' first encounter with his former employees since leaving Rugby Park. There were also off-the-field issues to attend to, such as the Jose Goncalves contract saga which saw the Portuguese defender ostracised from first-team duty with his deal nearing expiry.

Post-split fixtures brought mixed results, but the undoubted highlight was an inspired 2-1 defeat of Hibernian at Easter Road with David Obua scoring an 89th-minute winner. Then came those guns. The sight of the Ugandan's loping legs galloping around Easter Road remained in supporters' memories long into the summer, but for Jefferies the merriment was accompanied by a gnawing desire to revamp the squad he inherited from Laszlo.

A post-season trip to Lithuania offered the opportunity to convene with Vladimir Romanov, Hearts' majority shareholder. Signing targets were discussed and plans formulated which would ensure Tynecastle was a hive of activity throughout the summer transfer window.

First to arrive was the Falkirk captain Darren Barr, who had signed a pre-contract agreement with Hearts during the latter days of Laszlo's tenure. Then came Kevin Kyle, pictured below, on freedom of contract from Kilmarnock. Jefferies signed the Scotland striker at Rugby Park and a reunion of the pair in Edinburgh was regarded as a potentially pivotal moment for the season ahead. If Kyle was Hearts' marquee signing, Adrian Mrowiec very much snuck in the back door for his second spell in Scotland. The versatile Pole performed competently for Laszlo on loan from FBK Kaunas during season 2008/09, but his return in July underwhelmed many supporters. However, it was to prove an inspired piece of business initiated by Romanov.

Attempts at replenishing the squad were aided by finances available from departing high-earners. Goncalves, Larry Kingston, Christian Nade all left Tynecastle with their contracts expired. Michael Stewart did likewise and was eventually succeeded as captain by Marius Zaliukas. Their wages paid for replacements with a hefty amount still left over. Paul Hartley was courted by club officials but he opted for Aberdeen after securing his release from Bristol City.

Republic of Ireland international striker Stephen Elliott arrived from Preston North End only days before the SPL was due to kick-off. He harboured an impressive CV including spells with Manchester City, Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers, plus nine caps for the Republic. His switch north was intended to reinforce Hearts' attacking options whilst according the player regular game time after persistent injury trouble in England.

Then came the signing which properly ignited Jefferies' second spell as Hearts manager: Rudi Skacel. Idolised by Hearts fans for his 17 goals during the unforgettable 2005/06 campaign, his capture was another set in motion by Romanov.The Czech scored 12 minutes into his first start against Rangers in September and has not looked back since, firing a hat-trick against St Mirren, one against Hamilton and two in the 5-0 demolition of Aberdeen. With some supporters still rubbing their eyes in disbelief that Skacel was actually back in maroon at the not-so-veteran age of 31, Hearts began building momentum. Zaliukas suffered a similar banishment to Goncalves after refusing to sign a new contract but was reinstated once terms were agreed. The aforementioned Rangers match was lost 2-1 but Hearts then embarked upon a breathtaking run of form starting with a 1-0 win at Pittodrie in mid-October. In the following two months, victories over St Mirren, Hibernian, Celtic, St Johnstone, Hamilton, Aberdeen and Motherwell would propel them into a potential title-challenging position, tucked neatly in third place just willing either of the Old Firm to slip up.

For the first time since 2005/06, the team is playing with fluency and confidence which makes them a genuine threat to the Glasgow duopoly. Across Scotland, supporters of other non-Old Firm clubs are willing Hearts on to success in the hope that this country might witness a championship-winning team from outwith Glasgow for the first time in over a quarter of a century.

If 2010 saw Hearts build up the proverbial head of steam, then 2011 could just be the year they realise their ambitions. Scotland's third force are currently at their strongest for some considerable time, and those along the M8 are warily glancing over their shoulders.