Romanov happy with my work,says Jim Jefferies

AS MANY have found to their cost in the past, Vladimir Romanov's approval can be as hard to gauge as to attain. It is not linked to mere form, since Hearts' best run of the season ended with the removal of Csaba Laszlo in January.

• Picture: TSPL

But Jim Jefferies, Laszlo's successor, believes the Tynecastle owner is happy with his work so far – including recent personnel decisions which have seen Jose Goncalves recalled from exile for last weekend's defeat at Dundee United and Christian Nade disciplined for a clash with a team-mate.

It hasn't been easy for Jefferies, parachuted into a situation that is already renowned for being a trying one for managers. His first match came less than 24 hours after his arrival and he has been cobbling teams together ever since due to a combination of injuries, suspensions and contract/disciplinary issues. The situation is barely relenting as Hearts prepare to travel to take on the in-form Motherwell tomorrow afternoon, in a rearranged league fixture.

Captain Michael Stewart has joined the list of injured after breaking down in the warm-up at Tannadice, although Jefferies has been boosted by the return of Eggert Jonsson and Laryea Kingston after suspension. Andrew Driver might be back in training next week and could be named on the substitutes' bench for next weekend's derby against Hibernian, but again Jefferies does not have his worries to seek as he prepares to select a Hearts team for the eighth time since his surprise return to Gorgie.

However, the manager is comforted by the vibes emanating from Lithuania and which are relayed to him via sports director Aleksandr Metlitski, with whom Jefferies has developed a close relationship. Although old-style in his views on management, Jefferies is not inhibited by the presence of Metlitski and indeed has saluted him as an effective and well-qualified intermediary between him and Romanov.

"I've said before that maybe I'm lucky that he (Metlitski] is an ex-player," said Jefferies. "He played until late in his career, played international football for Belarus and he knows the game. We are on the same wavelength when talking about football and things in general. I have no problems at all and the word I get back from Alex is that Mr Romanov is happy. And I plan to keep him happy."

Jefferies stressed that it is not a case of complete non-contact between him and Romanov, as increasingly looked the case with his predecessor.

"I've spoken to him," he said. "I get on fine with him. I've not spoken too often, but I know what the situation is in terms of who I have to report to. I get on with them all. Everyone is very positive.

"I know people says things about the past but that's nothing to do with me. I have 22 years of experience. I came in and took the job and I will do what I think is right working alongside the owner, Alex and Sergi (Sergejus Fedotovas, a club director and Romanov's right-hand man]."

Although Jefferies has been hampered by selection difficulties his record has been more than acceptable, with Hearts now comfortably lodged in the top six following a recent run of three successive victories. The manager, however, believes it would take an almighty collapse from both Hibs and Dundee United to make it possible for Hearts to make an unlikely, late bid for third place. The Tynecastle side currently trail United by 11 points, but could close the gap between them and Hibs to seven with a win tomorrow at Fir Park. Next weekend's much anticipated reunion of Jefferies with John Hughes, who played under him at both Berwick Rangers and Falkirk, would then be supplied with further significance.

"I think it will take a major run of bad results (for Hearts to finish third]," Jefferies said. "But you just never know in football. If we beat Motherwell on Saturday then follow it up with a win against Hibs we will be right back in there."

But the main priority is to hold onto a berth in the top half of the table, something which looked an unrealistic ambition earlier in the season.

"Our remit was coming in and making sure we are in the top six," he said. "The quicker we get in there it gives us more games to go and attack the teams above us. It looks like there is a few points there but they can be clawed back because we have got everyone to play again."

Other than Goncalves, who had begun negotiations with the club before the manager's arrival, Jefferies confirmed he has still to begin the process of offering new contracts to players. The prospect of those out-of-contract players signing for other clubs did not worry him, he said. "The good thing about coming here is that Hearts are a big club and a lot of people want to play for this club," said Jefferies.

"They should want to play here. And that's what they have to do between now and the end of the season – try and impress me."