Third remains Hearts' target

THIRD place remains Hearts' primary target this season, said manager Jim Jefferies today, as he appealed for realism from those claiming his team are faltering in their title challenge.

Jefferies pointed out that third was always Hearts' objective and that they are firmly on course to achieve that aim.

Wednesday night's 4-0 defeat by Celtic prompted some critics to state that Hearts' bubble had burst as it ended an 11-game unbeaten league run. Jefferies today emerged defiantly to stress that the only way his team will keep in touch at the top of the table is if they forget all talk of winning the title.

"I just want the players to keep doing what they're doing," he said. "We set out to have a good season and our remit was to make sure we were at least challenging there for third place. We are on track to have a good season and achieve that."

With Vladimir Romanov scheduled to visit Edinburgh for meetings with Jefferies and other club officials over the weekend, the future of certain players will come into focus. Hearts have Ismael Bouzid, Dawid Kucharski and Ruben Palazuelos out of contract this summer and Kucharski could be allowed to leave before Monday's transfer deadline.