Hearts manager Jim Jefferies has hit back at Celtic counterpart Neil Lennon for questioning his side's commitment ahead of the teams' Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Tynecastle on Wednesday.
Referring to Rangers' 5-0 defeat of Motherwell and 4-0 win over Hearts in successive games, Lennon said: "What we are looking for is somebody to compete and give Rangers a game. There has not been much evidence of that in their previous two games."
However, Jefferies defended his side and instead pointed the finger at Celtic, who lost at Inverness last week to put Rangers in pole position to lift the SPL title. Jefferies said: "I thought it was a little bit disrespectful. Should I accuse him of not trying hard enough against Inverness?"
He added: "It fired Rangers up and made it more difficult for us on Saturday. We played on Saturday to try and win that game. I get on fine with Neil, I've no problems and the game is hard enough without having a go, but it's disrespectful to say my players didn't try against Rangers.
"I think it's wrong to accuse us. We're not trying hard to win at Ibrox for Celtic. We're not going to try hard against Celtic tomorrow for Rangers' benefit - we're trying to do it for our own."
One reason for Hearts' loss at Ibrox was the dismissal of Eggert Jonsson, who was sent off after 62 minutes. However, the Icelandic midfielder will be available on Wednesday after Hearts appealed the decision.
The capital club's problems, though, began before the match, when captain Marius Zaliukas was made unavailable for selection at the behest of majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov, who it is understood was concerned his fellow Lithuanian may be sent off by referee Iain Brines.
Zaliukas, though, is set to return against Celtic, with Marian Kello - the goalkeeper has also been out of the team of late due to an undisclosed "private matter" - also poised to play. "He'll play," said Jefferies of Zaliukas.
"That's in the past. We're now looking forward to the game and he'll play tomorrow. I'll learn from Saturday and I've made my mind up what I would do in that situation again."
While Zaliukas is available Hearts have a host of other concerns. Adrian Mrowiec (thigh), Andy Webster (groin), Lee Wallace (ankle), Jason Thomson (hamstring), David Templeton (knock) and Ruben Palazuelos (illness) are all doubtful. Ismael Bouzid is back from a ban, but Andrew Driver (hernia) Suso Santana (knee), Calum Elliot (knee) and Kevin Kyle (hip) are all out.
Source: PA
