Jefferies looking to next season

Jim Jefferies is looking to next season after Hearts' hopes of qualifying for Europe effectively ended after a 0-0 draw against Dundee United. With three points and a massive 11 goals to make up on fifth-placed Hibs, Jefferies has thrown in the towel on their bid to secure Europa League football.After a lethargic first-half performance where chances were hard to come by at both ends, the game opened up after the break as Hearts and Untied chased an elusive winner.Hearts midfielder David Templeton went close with a stinging drive that was palmed behind by Steve Banks while United were dangerous in the air but rarely tested Jamie MacDonald.Hearts host Celtic in their final SPL game of the season on Sunday and Jefferies admits he might experiment with nothing but pride to play for.He said: "It's not to be, not through a lack of effort. I think the damage was done when we were beaten by Motherwell here recently."That's hindsight and we can't look back on that, we gave it a go. Hibs are so far in front with goal difference."We know what we have to do in the summer to prepare. It also lets me have a look at one or two things for Sunday. We want to finish on a high."We could not have done much more against United. We are playing the team that's third best and they don't lose many goals."The trouble is when the other game's level and you push forward, if you lose a goal and you find the other result has gone your way, you kick yourself."We went gung-ho and went with a three-pronged attack, with Gordon Smith, Calum Elliot and Gary Glen."Dundee United manager Peter Houston, who confirmed he took Andy Webster off as a precaution at half-time ahead of the Active Nation Scottish Cup final against Ross County on May 15, felt his side did not get the rub of the green with the decisions.Webster had a goal chalked off while Craig Conway appeared to be fouled in the box before getting a shot away in the first half.Houston said: "I thought it was a hard-earned draw. In the first half, the chances fell to us and I don't remember Steve Banks having a lot to do."Webster scored the goal and it was disallowed, Conway then went through and I reckon, if he went down, it's a penalty kick."In the second half we had counter-attacks but lacked a bit of quality that could have won us the match."

Source: Team_Talk