Source: FOOTYMAD
No thanks for the memories
Jim Jefferies has a chance to make thinking about the Co-operative Insurance Cup more pleasant for himself. Manager Jim Jefferies is keen to go on a run in the Co-operative Insurance Cup to banish his bad memories of the competition. During the first Jefferies reign at the club, Hearts lost to Rangers in the 1996-97 final and the manager suffered another final loss while in charge of Kilmarnock 10 years later as his side were crushed 5-1 by Hibs. Hearts, who host Elgin City in the second round tonight, were beaten in the semi-finals by St Mirren earlier this year, just days after Jefferies took over from Csaba Laszlo. So Jefferies is desperate to add the trophy to the Scottish Cup he won during his first spell at his spiritual home. He said: "There's a league, Scottish Cup and Co-operative Insurance Cup competition to play for. It is a major trophy and it is one we are desperately trying to win, just as we would if it was the Scottish Cup. It would be nice for me if we could win as I have had two League Cup finals and it would be third time lucky for me. You need to get the breaks along the way, and the right draws, not just ours but others meeting each other. You need to take advantage of it. Hearts are always looking like a side that could be in the frame to win it." Jefferies may make changes for the encounter against the Irn-Bru Third Division side, but he does not expect them to weaken his team despite a 4-0 win over Hamilton on Saturday. Midfielders Ryan Stevenson and Eggert Jonsson return from suspension while Kevin Kyle could be handed his first start of the campaign following knee surgery. Jefferies said: "I've got a strong squad. " had six or seven players out and the players we had in did extremely well. You could argue we could be stronger when you look at players like Andrew Driver and Ryan Stevenson - who had an excellent pre-season - and Eggert Jonsson. It is an opportunity at home and I would expect any team I put out to win the game. It is an ideal game for them to come back into."
