Source: Team_Talk
JJ positive about Europa hopes
Jim Jefferies is confident Hearts can bounce back from their SPL defeat to Dundee United and qualify for the Europa League play-off round.[LNB] Hearts suffered a 1-0 loss to United on Sunday, but will bid to make amends in the Europa League third qualifying round tie with Hungary's Paks at Tynecastle on Thursday night.[LNB]Jefferies, whose side drew 1-1 in the away leg, said: "Thursday will look after itself. We'll be up for it, it's a different thing altogether.[LNB]"We've gone and done the first part over there. We've kept the tie very much alive and we hope to go and finish it off.[LNB]"If we go and do the thing right and get through then it will give us a big lift for the next league game."[LNB]Hearts could be given a boost ahead of the tie with Jefferies revealing midfielder Rudi Skacel is in contract negotiations, with his current deal set to expire imminently.[LNB]The hosts were beaten by a United side missing David Goodwillie, who is poised to move to Blackburn.[LNB]Jon Daly was unmarked as he nodded in Willo Flood's 38th-minute corner, with Marius Zaliukas accepting responsibility for the set-piece failings in Hearts' defence.[LNB]Jefferies added: "You can't give Jon Daly that kind of room and expect to get away with it."[LNB]United manager Peter Houston felt his side were worthy winners.[LNB]Houston, who made the decision on Friday not to play Goodwillie, said: "It was a hard-fought three points, but I thought fully merited.[LNB]"We had good chances in the first half - possibly a penalty, we hit the bar, Jon Daly brought a world-class save from their goalkeeper and we scored a goal.[LNB]"When you come to Tynecastle sometimes in 90 minutes you don't create as many chances."[LNB]Daly felt United proved there is life after Goodwillie, who could complete his move to Rovers on Monday.[LNB]The Irishman said: "He's a great player, but one player's not going to make a team. We knew we could cope without him.[LNB]"He has great ability and all the attributes to go on and play at the highest level.[LNB]"I think he will go down there, score goals and cause problems."
