Source: FOOTYMAD
Celebrations away from home
Jim Jefferies is looking for the chance to have a joint celebration: winning the game and reaching Europe Jim Jefferies hopes his injury-ravaged side are able to underline why they finished third ahead of today's opponents, Dundee United, by picking up another three points. Hearts travel to Tannadice today with a five-point gap over fourth-placed Dundee United and Jefferies hopes to see his fans, who travel to Dundee, celebrate their team's success in reaching Europe and winning the game. Plans to celebrate European football after Wednesday night's game at Tynecastle on Wednesday night against Celtic were hastily cancelled after Neil Lennon was attacked. Jefferies said: "The players had hoped to get round the pitch and receive acclaim for what has been a very good season. I think it overshadowed the fact we've had a terrific season. The fans are going up there wanting to see us win and we're playing against a very good side. We now go into the last game and try to finish it off with a win." The club once had a significant advantage in the race for third place, but recording just one win in 11 games - six of which were drawn - saw their lead over United cut. Jefferies went on: "We were always in the driving seat and what has made it a wee bit frustrating was the fact we had a chance to clinch it (third place) earlier. But it doesn't matter when you clinch it. We didn't lose a lot of games. We only lost away this year to Dundee United out with the Old Firm and a lot of those results were wins." The club have been threatening to cross the line for weeks but results conspired against them to wrap things up for Europe until Wednesday. Jefferies attributed the stuttering form to injuries, with David Templeton (hamstring), Andrew Driver (hernia), Suso Santana (knee), Calum Elliot (knee) and Kevin Kyle (hip) all out for the final league game of the season. There are still doubts over the ability of Adrian Mrowiec (thigh), Andy Webster (groin), Lee Wallace (ankle), Jason Thomson (hamstring) and Ruben Palazuelos (illness) to play any part of the game. Jefferies may be forced to select a young team to play United. He added: "I've got to consider which players will be available. I was going to maybe give a couple of younger players in the squad a wee run, but you still want to win the game."
