Source: FOOTYMAD
European Challengers Of 2010-11 Meet Tomorrow
Hearts have European ambitions and Dundee United want another go. Tomorrow's game could be a good test of the two sides. Jim Jefferies is looking on the visit of Dundee United as a chance to prove Hearts mean business in their quest to finish in the top three of the SPL. Jefferies was disappointed with the sixth-place finish last time and has set a target of a return to European football. His side have made a decent start to that target, after a draw against St Johnstone and last week's 4-0 thrashing of Hamilton at New Douglas Park. The also had a some shooting practice against Elgin City in the Co-operative Cup in midweek with another 4-0 result in their favour to enjoy. However, Jefferies knows United pose their first serious test of the new season with the side from Tannadice finishing third in 2009-10. Jefferies said: "I would love to go into the international break after winning the game. Then you could say that there is now a base to kick on and do what we set out to do, and that's to be at the right end of the table competing. People have been saying it's a different Hearts side this year and that we're going to be a difficult team to overcome, that's a positive sign for us. The performance, attitude and application have been terrific and if we show that consistently you have more chance of getting results. This is probably a test the fact that everyone will be looking at Dundee United being away and this might be a chance. They were not third for nothing, they're a decent side." Jefferies looks set to welcome back Eggert Jonsson for his first league game after the Icelandic internationalist missed the opening two thanks to being supended. Jonsson played as a centre-half in Tuesday's Co-operative Insurance Cup win over Elgin City and Jefferies admits his versatility is giving him a headache. He said: "Finding out his best position is a problem. On the plus side he can play anywhere and I don't think he minds that because at least he knows that if a place comes up in the team he's in with a chance of playing there." United are still looking for their first win of the season but improved considerably following their 4-0 home defeat by Inverness as they drew 1-1 against AEK Athens on Thursday. This was not the result they wanted as it meant United lost the Europa League play off game 2-1 on aggregate. Left-back Paul Dixon said: "Hearts isn't an easy one. They've had a good result against Elgin in midweek and will be full of confidence. But we need to go there and give it 100%, work hard and hopefully get the result we need. We were embarrassed by the 4-0 defeat to Inverness, no matter who you lose to any 4-0 defeat is an embarrassing defeat especially at home in front of your own crowd. We'll be looking to rectify that. We've not won yet but will just focus on what's to come and won't worry about what's in the past." Meanwhile, United will seek an explanation from UEFA over the debacle surrounding their second leg in Athens. AEK's Olympic Stadium pitch was declared unplayable on Monday and the replacement venue, Panionios' Nea Smyrni stadium, was vandalised before the Greek side managed to agree a deal to play in Olympiakos's stadium about 24 hours before kick-off. A United statement read: "While Dundee United has at all times behaved with integrity this week to make sure that our Europa League play off tie against AEK Athens went ahead, we have also felt duty bound to make various enquiries to ensure the club's position was not compromised and that, for the sake of the competition, such events do not occur again. Our supporters are also due a full explanation, particularly in view of the circumstances they were faced with. We would like to make it clear that there are no grounds for an official protest. This was never considered as a serious option by Dundee United and this has been subsequently confirmed by legal advice and advice from the authorities. However, at the request of the SFA, we will be preparing a full report on the situation and difficulties presented to the club this week and this will be forwarded by them to UEFA for a detailed response." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
