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. 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.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.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.The Hearts manager said: "We have had a lot of chats about that and we have things in place to stop that."Kevin was pelted with stuff and reacted by throwing the ball against the boards in frustration because he was nearly hit."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."There was a little bit that went on round about that five-minute spell when there were tackles flying in."Because they knew the game was virtually over, I think one or two just lost it a wee bit."As far as the crowd were concerned, they knew that as well, so that was them having their bit of retaliation."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.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."Keith had told us before the game there were canisters that could be there," Jefferies said."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."We told them beforehand but in the passion of the derby you keep forgetting these things."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."It's sometimes part of the package, you just hope there is nothing serious. But it was serious enough yesterday."It is a game and there is plenty of passion and banter, which is great, but it shouldn't come to that."Jefferies appealed to Hearts fans not to bring any more of the smoke canisters to matches."Something that gets thrown could easily hurt a player,"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."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."There were a few wounded but it proves they were up for the battle," he said.

Source: Team_Talk