Source: Team_Talk
Level-headed Hearts impress JJ
Hearts boss Jim Jefferies praised his players for keeping their head in the derby win over Hibernian after tempers flared on and off the pitch.[LNB] Missiles were thrown at Hearts players Kevin Kyle and Rudi Skacel towards the end of the visitors' 2-0 victory at Easter Road and the Czech midfielder was the victim of a challenge by Derek Riordan, which saw the Hibs captain sent off in the closing stages.[LNB]The Scottish Premier League are awaiting their match delegate's report and the views of both clubs before deciding whether to take action over the missile-throwing.[LNB]Hearts have been hit with heavy fines by the Scottish Football Association for the on-field indiscipline in recent seasons but Jefferies was generally pleased with the way his players responded.[LNB]The Hearts manager said: "We have had a lot of chats about that and we have things in place to stop that.[LNB]"Kevin was pelted with stuff and reacted by throwing the ball against the boards in frustration because he was nearly hit.[LNB]"He was provoked into that. He has to rise above it, that was a booking we could have done without, but it's not easy in the heat of the moment, especially with the atmosphere the way it was.[LNB]"There was a little bit that went on round about that five-minute spell when there were tackles flying in.[LNB]"Because they knew the game was virtually over, I think one or two just lost it a wee bit.[LNB]"As far as the crowd were concerned, they knew that as well, so that was them having their bit of retaliation."[LNB]Hearts fans also blotted their copybook when a smoke canister was thrown on to the pitch from the away support after David Templeton's brilliant first-half opener.[LNB]Jefferies, whose team host Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League on Wednesday night, revealed security manager Keith Hogg had warned the players not to go near the devices.[LNB]"Keith had told us before the game there were canisters that could be there," Jefferies said.[LNB]"Marius (Zaliukas) attempted to kick it the first time and I thought he was going to kick it again, but we managed to get word to him not to kick it.[LNB]"We told them beforehand but in the passion of the derby you keep forgetting these things.[LNB]"Fortunately there was no further damage. But in the first derby of the season, with a new manager, there is always going to be something.[LNB]"It's sometimes part of the package, you just hope there is nothing serious. But it was serious enough yesterday.[LNB]"It is a game and there is plenty of passion and banter, which is great, but it shouldn't come to that."[LNB]Jefferies appealed to Hearts fans not to bring any more of the smoke canisters to matches.[LNB]"Something that gets thrown could easily hurt a player,"[LNB]he said. "Nobody wants to change the atmosphere or the taunting but let's make sure we keep things in perspective and don't endanger the players or police or anyone around the ground."[LNB]Jefferies revealed there were a few casualties in the treatment room this morning, with Templeton doubtful for the visit of Celtic with a dead leg.[LNB]"There were a few wounded but it proves they were up for the battle," he said.
