JJ positive about Europa hopes

Jim Jefferies is confident Hearts can bounce back from their SPL defeat to Dundee United and qualify for the Europa League play-off round. Hearts suffered a 1-0 loss to United on Sunday, but will bid to make amends in the Europa League third qualifying round tie with Hungary's Paks at Tynecastle on Thursday night.Jefferies, whose side drew 1-1 in the away leg, said: "Thursday will look after itself. We'll be up for it, it's a different thing altogether."We've gone and done the first part over there. We've kept the tie very much alive and we hope to go and finish it off."If we go and do the thing right and get through then it will give us a big lift for the next league game."Hearts could be given a boost ahead of the tie with Jefferies revealing midfielder Rudi Skacel is in contract negotiations, with his current deal set to expire imminently.The hosts were beaten by a United side missing David Goodwillie, who is poised to move to Blackburn.Jon Daly was unmarked as he nodded in Willo Flood's 38th-minute corner, with Marius Zaliukas accepting responsibility for the set-piece failings in Hearts' defence.Jefferies added: "You can't give Jon Daly that kind of room and expect to get away with it."United manager Peter Houston felt his side were worthy winners.Houston, who made the decision on Friday not to play Goodwillie, said: "It was a hard-fought three points, but I thought fully merited."We had good chances in the first half - possibly a penalty, we hit the bar, Jon Daly brought a world-class save from their goalkeeper and we scored a goal."When you come to Tynecastle sometimes in 90 minutes you don't create as many chances."Daly felt United proved there is life after Goodwillie, who could complete his move to Rovers on Monday.The Irishman said: "He's a great player, but one player's not going to make a team. We knew we could cope without him."He has great ability and all the attributes to go on and play at the highest level."I think he will go down there, score goals and cause problems."

Source: Team_Talk