Jeff expects Hearts to accelerate

JIM Jefferies declared today that Hearts will only become stronger over the coming weeks despite failing with a transfer deadline day move for Kilmarnock's Craig Bryson.

Two offers from Tynecastle - the second worth 300,000 - were rejected yesterday by Rugby Park chairman, Michael Johnston. However Jefferies remains content with the squad at his disposal and is confident Hearts are already gaining momentum after an encouraging start to the new season.

"We will get better and we'll get stronger," he said. "We're already starting to show teams that they're in for a different game when they come up against Hearts this season.

"We've played four games this season and we haven't lost yet, so there's a base to build on. We could have slipped into third place on Sunday if we'd beaten Dundee United but we're a point away from it. With players like Driver, Elliot and others missing, it shows you what we can do. It shows we already have strength in depth."

Johnston explained that he was unwilling to compromise on Kilmarnock's valuation of Bryson. "I received two approaches from Hearts yesterday for Craig Bryson but both were turned down," he said. "They came in with an offer which was well below our valuation and then they came back in and changed their figures slightly. The figures they were talking about were nowhere near the level where we value Craig."

Hearts were drawn away to Falkirk in the third round of the Co-operative Insurance Cup yesterday. A date and kick-off time has yet to be announced.

Meanwhile, five under-19 players left Riccarton in loan moves to non-league clubs - Murray Christie, Chris Kane, Dale O'Hara, Brad McKay and Chris Tobin.