Things must improve for Saturday: JJ

Hearts have not had the best preparation for Saturday's Derby Game with two losses against Motherwell and Dundee United. That will matter little when next Saturday rolls around. Jim Jeffries knows all about playing for and managing Hearts in the lead in to a meeting with Hibs. League positions, points in the bag and goal difference make no odds when the sides meet. The chance to send Hibs fans heading for home early with another loss etched in the record books should enough to give any Hearts side a lift without the need for a verbal blast from JJ. Hibs may be 10 points ahead but a win for Hearts on Saturday will be another dent in their European ambitions.

Hearts face Hibs at home on Saturday and Jefferies, who believed Laryea Kingston was his best player "by a long way" at the weekend, knows they must improve. He: "We said forget that game. The derby is a different game, the form book goes out the window. There's a passion between the supporters which makes it a great atmosphere but if we don't show the passion, we'll be in trouble. I'm hoping, having been involved in derbies, that's one thing you should be guaranteed. It wasn't good enough here. That was the worst it has been since we came in. A lot of those players have to use this time between now and the end of the season to prove to us that they've got a future at this club. On that performance, some of them let themselves down badly."

After seeing off Hibs, next up for the Tynie trip are league leaders Rangers.