Source: Team_Talk
Jefferies: Hughes must be given time
Hearts manager Jim Jefferies has praised the character of John Hughes and suggested it was too early for calls for his removal as Hibs boss.[LNB] Hughes has come under mounting pressure at the Easter Road helm, with Hibernian having failed to win at home in nine games, the last two of which ended amid a chorus of boos from supporters.[LNB]Hibs, who travel to Celtic in the Scottish Premier League on Saturday, exited the Co-operative Insurance Cup this week - as did Hearts - leaving Hughes with four wins from the last 26 games in all competitions.[LNB]But Jefferies, who managed Hughes at Falkirk in the 1990s, has backed the Hibs boss to turn fortunes around.[LNB]"John Hughes is the most determined character I've ever come across," said the Hearts boss.[LNB]"Sheer determination is his biggest strength and when it comes to a test of character there is nobody with any more than Yogi (Hughes).[LNB]"They've just got to make sure they stick with him.[LNB]"This is September, the season finishes in May.[LNB]"In May last year he took them to fourth in the league and took them into Europe for the first time in six years.[LNB]"Why is everybody panicking in September?[LNB]"He could easily go on a run of games.[LNB]"He believes the boys will come right and he's got to get them going.[LNB]"Right now maybe their confidence is a bit low, whereas last year at this time they were flying."[LNB]Hearts, meanwhile, will not appeal against Craig Thomson's dismissal in Tuesday's 4-3 league cup loss at Falkirk.[LNB]The 19-year-old defender was sent off by referee Brian Winter for kicking out at Bairns striker Carl Finnigan after the pair clashed on the touchline.[LNB]"I've seen it on the video and had a word with him," explained Jefferies.[LNB]"He didn't make any contact but it looks on the video as if there was intent there.[LNB]"There's nothing to appeal against.[LNB]"He'll be dealt with internally and that will be it."[LNB]Like Jefferies, who will sit in the stand for Saturday's SPL clash with Motherwell at Tynecastle, Thomson will now serve a suspension, adding to Hearts' defensive woes.[LNB]Left-back Lee Wallace is out with a knee injury, while Marius Zaliukas is close to a return from a knee injury but has a contract dispute to settle before he will be allowed to turn out for Hearts again.[LNB]Thomson has been rebuked for his sending-off.[LNB]"He's let his team down," added Jefferies.[LNB]"He's a young kid and he's going to have to learn.[LNB]"He's put himself out of the team, down to his own fault and stupidity.[LNB]"I've had him in this morning and told him that he's going to have to learn, learn quickly.[LNB]"He accepts that and that's the end of the matter."
