Source: FOOTYMAD
Defence not a problem area
The priority for Jim Jeffries next year is to get a striker who can deliver goals. Jim Jeffries is looking to strengthen his attacking options when he gets down to signing business rather than beefing up his defensive cover. Despite Jose Goncalves leaving under freedom of contract, Jefferies has no intention of recruiting a replacement and will work with the defenders he already has. Theye will be boosted by pre-contract signing Darren Barr andRyan McGowan and Jonathan Brown who will be returning from being out on loan.Jeffries said: "Defence is not an area we're looking to strengthen at the moment. Our priorities lie in the striker and midfield departments and that's what we're concentrating on. Any other name that is thrown at us in another position is just pie in the sky as far as I'm concerned." McGowan and Brown will be back from Ayr United and Livingston respectively and will be striving to challenge for first-team football in the SPL. The Hearts defence is expected to be built around the Lithuanian centre-back Marius Zaliukas, who remains favourite for the captain's armband following Michael Stewart leaving for Genclerbirligi.
