Jefferies: Hughes must be given time

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies has praised the character of John Hughes and suggested it was too early for calls for his removal as Hibs boss. Hughes has come under mounting pressure at the Easter Road helm, with Hibernian having failed to win at home in nine games, the last two of which ended amid a chorus of boos from supporters.Hibs, who travel to Celtic in the Scottish Premier League on Saturday, exited the Co-operative Insurance Cup this week - as did Hearts - leaving Hughes with four wins from the last 26 games in all competitions.But Jefferies, who managed Hughes at Falkirk in the 1990s, has backed the Hibs boss to turn fortunes around."John Hughes is the most determined character I've ever come across," said the Hearts boss."Sheer determination is his biggest strength and when it comes to a test of character there is nobody with any more than Yogi (Hughes)."They've just got to make sure they stick with him."This is September, the season finishes in May."In May last year he took them to fourth in the league and took them into Europe for the first time in six years."Why is everybody panicking in September?"He could easily go on a run of games."He believes the boys will come right and he's got to get them going."Right now maybe their confidence is a bit low, whereas last year at this time they were flying."Hearts, meanwhile, will not appeal against Craig Thomson's dismissal in Tuesday's 4-3 league cup loss at Falkirk.The 19-year-old defender was sent off by referee Brian Winter for kicking out at Bairns striker Carl Finnigan after the pair clashed on the touchline."I've seen it on the video and had a word with him," explained Jefferies."He didn't make any contact but it looks on the video as if there was intent there."There's nothing to appeal against."He'll be dealt with internally and that will be it."Like Jefferies, who will sit in the stand for Saturday's SPL clash with Motherwell at Tynecastle, Thomson will now serve a suspension, adding to Hearts' defensive woes.Left-back Lee Wallace is out with a knee injury, while Marius Zaliukas is close to a return from a knee injury but has a contract dispute to settle before he will be allowed to turn out for Hearts again.Thomson has been rebuked for his sending-off."He's let his team down," added Jefferies."He's a young kid and he's going to have to learn."He's put himself out of the team, down to his own fault and stupidity."I've had him in this morning and told him that he's going to have to learn, learn quickly."He accepts that and that's the end of the matter."

Source: Team_Talk