Source: Team_Talk
Jefferies eyes run to cup final
Hearts manager Jim Jefferies is determined to go on a run in the Co-op Cup to banish his bad memories of the competition.[LNB] Hearts lost to Rangers in the 1996-97 final during the first Jefferies reign at the club, and the manager suffered another final loss while at Kilmarnock 10 years later as his side were crushed 5-1 by Hibernian.[LNB]Hearts, who host Elgin City in the second round, were beaten in the semi-finals by St Mirren earlier this year, days after Jefferies took over from Csaba Laszlo.[LNB]So Jefferies is desperate to add the trophy to the Scottish Cup he won during his first spell at his spiritual home.[LNB]"There's a league, Scottish Cup and Co-operative Insurance Cup competition to play for," Jefferies said.[LNB]"It is a major trophy and it is one we are desperately trying to win, just as we would if it was the Scottish Cup.[LNB]"It would be nice for me if we could win as I have had two League Cup finals and it would be third time lucky for me.[LNB]"You need to get the breaks along the way, and the right draws, not just ours but others meeting each other. You need to take advantage of it.[LNB]"Hearts are always looking like a side that could be in the frame to win it."[LNB]Jefferies may make changes for the encounter against the Irn-Bru Third Division side, but he does not expect them to weaken his team despite a 4-0 win over Hamilton on Saturday.[LNB]Midfielders Ryan Stevenson and Eggert Jonsson return from suspension while Kevin Kyle could be handed his first start of the campaign following knee surgery.[LNB]"I've got a strong squad," Jefferies said. "I had six or seven players out and the players we had in did extremely well.[LNB]"You could argue we could be stronger when you look at players like Andrew Driver and Ryan Stevenson - who had an excellent pre-season - and Eggert Jonsson.[LNB]"It is an opportunity at home and I would expect any team I put out to win the game. It is an ideal game for them to come back into."[LNB]
