Jefferies happy to be away

29 June 2011 10:31
Jim Jefferies is relieved at the distance between his Hearts side and the Craig Thomson furore in Edinburgh after he was suspended.[LNB] Jefferies is overseeing Hearts' pre-season preparations in Italy as Thomson's future at the capital club remains uncertain.[LNB]The 20-year-old was suspended with immediate effect by the club on Tuesday following his conviction for "lewd, libidinous and indecent behaviour".[LNB]Jefferies told the Daily Record: "The one good thing which has come out of being away is that if we'd been back there, concentrating on our work for the season would have been difficult.[LNB]"It's bad enough here but if we'd actually been at home it would have been difficult."[LNB]Initially on Friday Hearts announced that they planned to retain the services of Thomson, but on Tuesday they suspended the full-back.[LNB]A short statement on the club's official website on Tuesday read: "Hearts today announce that Craig Thomson is suspended with immediate effect. No further comment will be made by the club."[LNB]Thomson earlier this month pleaded guilty, was fined and placed on the sex offenders register in relation to his inappropriate conduct towards two under-age girls over the internet.[LNB]News of Hearts' initial decision to stand by Thomson resulted in one of the club's sponsors, MacB Water, announcing they were withdrawing support as official water sponsor of the Jambos - a deal worth more than £5,000.[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk