Jefferies eyes another derby clash

04 April 2011 07:30

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies is rooting for Hibernian to make the top six in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League before the split - so his team can have another crack at them.

The Edinburgh sides battled out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Sunday's derby at Easter Road, with the Jambos snatching a late leveller to deny Hibs their first win in the fixture since May 2009. The result was also a blow to Hibernian's hopes of securing a place in the top half of the table, threatening the prospect of another post-split derby meeting this term.

"I just hope they get into the top six so that we can get them again at Tynecastle," he said. "We showed fantastic spirit after going a goal down so late and then finding a goal late on. That's one thing about Hearts, they never give up."

Hearts had taken the lead through Ryan Stevenson before the match turned in Hibs' favour when Marius Zaliukas was sent off and Liam Miller converted from the resultant penalty.

Substitute Ricardo Vaz Te thought he had sealed the win for the home side with 10 minutes to go but, four minutes later, Stephen Elliott had the net bulging for Hearts.

Jefferies said: "If anyone deserved it, it was Stephen. He had to change positions, he was a constant threat in the opening half hour and he should have scored then and he knows that himself. He put in a fantastic shift for us."

Jefferies was without a number of players for the trip to Leith and admits he should probably have been at home in bed himself.

The Hearts boss said: "I was a doubt myself and it's not really the treatment you need, to go and sit on the touchline at a derby, but the medicine was brilliant because of the way the team performed.

"I shouldn't have been in for the last few days but you know what it's like leading up to a derby, you just get in there."

Asked where the result leaves his side's top-six hopes, Hibs boss Colin Calderwood said: "To be honest, it was all about this game. I've not really reflected on that but we will obviously need to go and win a few games. It's difficult and it's becoming increasingly difficult. We have missed an opportunity."

Source: PA