Source: Team_Talk
Jefferies expects tough game
Jim Jefferies is staying upbeat as Hearts prepare to take their unbeaten SPL record to Celtic on Saturday at the end of a tough week.[LNB] Lee Wallace has been ruled out by injury and the saga of Marius Zaliukas' future continue.[LNB]Wallace is set to see a specialist about the torn posterior cruciate knee ligament he suffered on international duty with Scotland and Zaliukas, who is currently out with a knee problem, remains the subject of discussions between his parent club FBK Kaunas and Hearts.[LNB]Manager Jefferies, therefore, requires a left-back and a captain.[LNB]Ruben Palazuelos may be tasked with playing on the left side of the defence, while Eggert Jonsson is set to be handed the captain's armband.[LNB]Wallace was initially expected to be out for six months, but further assessment on Thursday suggested he may now not require surgery and could be back in three months.[LNB]However, an exact prognosis will be known after his visit to a London specialist.[LNB]The 23-year-old's absence against Celtic is a blow for Hearts.[LNB]Celtic have won all three of their SPL fixtures thus far, netting six goals in the process, while Hearts beat Hamilton and drew with St Johnstone and Dundee United prior to the international break.[LNB]Jefferies knows Hearts will have to be at their best to emerge from Parkhead with their unbeaten record intact.[LNB]"It will be a tough game," he said.[LNB]"I've heard that the last time they played there they were on fire (beating St Mirren 4-0).[LNB]"They've had a couple of good victories there and they've got some good players who I think will get better and better.[LNB]"We've got to go there and be as positive as we can.[LNB]"We're not going to sit back - I think that's asking for trouble.[LNB]"We'll make sure we're well organised, tight, hopefully create a few chances and, more importantly, take them."[LNB]It has been suggested SPL clubs are not as daunted as they once were by taking on the Old Firm on their own ground.[LNB]Hearts have one win - a 1-0 Cooperative Insurance Cup success - and two draws from their last five visits to Parkhead, but Jefferies knows luck will play a part on Saturday.[LNB]"You need breaks when you go there," he added.[LNB]"It's all about taking the chances if you create them."[LNB]If chances are created, Jefferies hopes Kevin Kyle can finish them.[LNB]Kyle was recruited in the summer and the striker's presence led to suggestions Hearts could resort to a long-ball game.[LNB]But Jefferies insists his side will retain their fluid passing style and has backed Kyle to perform well by converting crosses from the wings.[LNB]Jefferies added: "Kevin Kyle will relish the service from wide areas.[LNB]"He should be looking to cash in and get goals for us."[LNB]Kyle, who was skipper at Kilmarnock under Jefferies, is a strong leader and Jefferies could turn to him in the continued absence of Zaliukas and Wallace.[LNB]Zaliukas has been on loan at Tynecastle since the summer of 2006 from Kaunas - owned by Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov - but the agreement expires at the end of December and uncertainty over the defender's future remains.[LNB]The Lithuania international is, however, the club captain and Wallace inherited the armband when his fellow defender was ruled out through injury.[LNB]Now Iceland international Jonsson is poised to lead the side into action.[LNB]Jefferies added: "Eggert does it with attitude and he's not afraid to give his opinion when he's on the park.[LNB]"Wherever he plays on Saturday, he'll be the captain."
