Jim Jefferies hopes to meet Hibs again in top six

A recent fruitful run of five straight wins has left Hibs trailing sixth-placed Motherwell by five points with four games to go before the split. Hearts emerged with all the spoils from this term's previous two clashes with their Edinburgh foes and the teams will lock horns for a third time at Easter Road on 3 April.

Next month's televised showdown could have a huge bearing on whether Colin Calderwood's side make it into the upper tier for the closing games of the campaign.

And Jefferies, who has masterminded victories in all four matches against Hibs since returning to Gorgie in January last year, insists he wants to play host to Hibs in the post-split fixtures. Jefferies said: "Their run has put them back in contention and good luck to them if they get back in the top half, it will be another derby to look forward to. It would be good for both clubs. I think, if we play them in the top six, the game will be at Tynecastle. They are great games to look forward to."

Hibs' recent run earned Calderwood the February Clydesdale Bank Manager of the Month award and Jefferies has been impressed by how his capital counterpart guided the team away from relegation trouble.

He said: "Colin was getting criticised after half a dozen games or so but he needed a chance to assess things and he picked up a few good signings when the transfer window came around. They've blended well, they got a couple of results and you could see the confidence coming back in them. He fully deserved to get that reward as it's not easy to win so many games on the spin."

Meanwhile, Airdrie United manager Jimmy Boyle admits that he wants to take Hearts goalkeeper Mark Ridgers back on loan next season.

The 20-year-old is impressing for the Second Division promotion hopefuls, having been farmed out on a season-long agreement. Boyle said: "He's been a pleasure to work with. It would be great if we could get him again next year."