Source: Team_Talk
Jefferies puzzled by St Mirren plight
Hearts manager Jim Jefferies admits he finds it strange that Saturday's opponents St Mirren are once again battling relegation.[LNB] While the Gorgie side travel to Paisley looking to cement their top-six place in the SPL, the Buddies are in 10th spot and only five points ahead of bottom side Falkirk.[LNB]Asked what he thought of Gus MacPherson's side, who recently lost the Co-operative Insurance Cup final to Rangers after beating Hearts in the semi-final, the Tynecastle boss said: "I have found it strange.[LNB]"Gus has built up a great squad of players on limited resources. He has improved them every year and for some reason they keep having to fight relegation.[LNB]"I watched them in the Co-op Cup final and even Rangers said they should have won the game but it all went against them.[LNB]"But to pick those players up and beat Celtic last week shows that they are capable.[LNB]"They played well against us in the semi-final - the best I'd seen them play this season - so on their day they can beat anybody.[LNB]"We know it won't be easy so we will have to be up for it."[LNB]Jefferies admits losing out on a top-six spot this season would mean failure.[LNB]The Jambos are two points ahead of seventh-placed St Johnstone, who face Dundee United and Aberdeen in their last two games before the split, while Hearts take on struggling St Mirren and Kilmarnock.[LNB]Jefferies, who only arrived at Tynecastle for his second spell as boss following the departure of Csaba Laszlo in January, accepts that fans should expect a top-half finish.[LNB]He said: "It was a case of coming in and trying to get into the top six and assess the players for next season.[LNB]"I thought we would have secured the top-six spot weeks ago but we had to chop and change, although that's something we have to contend with.[LNB]"Hearts set out at the start of the season with a target of being in a certain place and if they don't make it then of course they have failed.[LNB]"So it's up to the players. It is in their own hands and they have to show what it is to be at a club like Hearts.[LNB]"Top six means a lot to the club; bigger gates, another derby against Hibs and games against Rangers and Celtic.[LNB]"But for our own personal pride Hearts should be in the top six.[LNB]"They have to take that on board but I think the team is strong enough to get the two results."
