Hearts manager Jim Jefferies insists his side have "become the hunters" in the race for European football after sealing their place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League's top six with a narrow 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock in front of club owner Vladimir Romanov.
Winger Suso Santana's 32nd-minute strike from the edge of the box was the difference between the sides as Kilmarnock's relegation concerns intensified at Tynecastle. With a European berth taken away from finishing fifth in the SPL due to First Division side Ross County reaching the Active Nation Scottish Cup final, Jefferies insists they are out to close the six-point gap on city rivals Hibernian.
Jefferies, whose side face Rangers at Ibrox next Sunday and have three games at home after the split, said: "Now we become the hunters, it's a situation with five games left that we've closed the gap."
He added: "Fifth place was taken away. Six points is a big advantage but we've still got to play them. There is no pressure on us but we want to get there.
"It gives us something to challenge for, the remit was to get into the top six; we achieved that and now the target is different.
"We know we can catch the teams above us and we'll try and do that."
Source: PA
