Source: Team_Talk
Jefferies critical of Euro waiting game
Jim Jefferies today hit out at the confusion and inconvenience he claims has been caused by the SFA's European qualification criteria.[LNB] Jefferies' Hearts side are one of three teams battling it out for a Europa League spot as the SPL season draws to a close.[LNB]Fourth place will guarantee entry into the qualifying rounds but the club who finishes fifth could also sneak into Europe via the back door.[LNB]But this depends on a number of factors which have left Jefferies' head in a spin.[LNB]He said: "I'm led to believe that if Dundee United win the cup and finish third, then fifth place gets into Europe... is that the case?"[LNB]Although Jefferies was correct in his assumption, there are other scenarios that would mean fifth place is not enough to qualify.[LNB]Should in-form United pip Celtic to second place - and thereby gain entry to the Champions League - then cup final opponents Ross County will be automatically handed Scotland's final Europa League spot.[LNB]The same will apply if County win the cup final.[LNB]"It's so complicated that nobody knows who's going to be where," Jefferies moaned.[LNB]"We can finish the season in fifth thinking we're in Europe."[LNB]Indeed, whatever happens on May 9, whoever secures fifth will have to wait until after the cup final six days later to learn their European fate.[LNB]"It's a ridiculous situation that you've got to wait," said Jefferies, whose sixth-placed side will close to within a point of Motherwell if they beat them at Tynecastle on Saturday.[LNB]"We've got next season's preparations to make. You don't know when you're going to come back.[LNB]"Don't get me wrong: we're not saying we don't want it, but it does cause a lot of complications."[LNB]One problem is a severely shortened summer.[LNB]The SPL season does not kick off until August 14 but entry into the early rounds of the Europa League qualifiers would force Jefferies to recall his squad at the end of June - during the World Cup finals.[LNB]"We'd be back before the end of June because the first game, I believe, is July 15," said Jefferies of the possible consequences of finishing fifth.[LNB]"If you make fourth, it's July 29."[LNB]Jefferies warned his players not to book any holidays in July, saying: "I think they know that already so I hope they don't."[LNB]Hearts' hopes of gatecrashing fifth place or even fourth could hinge on victory this weekend and in the following Saturday's Edinburgh derby.[LNB]"This could be, I think, the crucial part, these games," said Jefferies, who hopes Rangers do him a favour on Sunday and win at Hibs.[LNB]"It'll make it tougher if things don't go for us on Saturday.[LNB]"If it was to go against us, and the other result, then it's going to be really difficult with just three games to go.[LNB]"This is a massive, massive game on Saturday."[LNB]Jefferies was today linked with summer moves for St Mirren duo Billy Mehmet and Andy Dorman.[LNB]"I get phoned up by agents telling me that, 'This player's available', and, 'He's out of contract'," said the Hearts boss, who confirmed injured goalkeeper Janos Balogh was unlikely to play again this season.[LNB]"I say, 'Thanks for letting me know'.[LNB]"And then I read it in the paper.[LNB]"We'll get linked with another 10 or 12 before the season closes."[LNB]
