Jim Jefferies can see more twists in the SPL title race as his side prepare to face Rangers and Celtic in successive games. Jefferies knows his Hearts side could have a major say in the destination of the SPL prize, with a trip to Ibrox on Saturday followed next Wednesday by a visit to Tynecastle for Celtic. Hearts will not be there just to make up the numbers. Jefferies wants to claim third place in the table ahead of Dundee United who they will meet in the final game of the season on 15 May.
Jefferies said: "It will be interesting. The Old Firm managers themselves said after the last Old Firm game (the 0-0 draw on April 24) that there will be still some twists and turns - we saw one last night and hopefully we can be included in those twists and turns. If we do get a result on Saturday I hope we can match it on Wednesday or there will be all these conspiracy theories. We can assure both clubs - and if it goes to Dundee United - that we'll be trying hard to get as many points as we can. We'll be making it as difficult for them both as possible."
Despite Jefferies being a long-standing friend of Rangers manager Walter Smith, the Hearts manager insists there will be no lack of desire and tactics brought to bear to get hold of the three points when the sides meet. While praising Celtic manager Neil Lennon's efforts in his first full season in charge, the Hearts manager believes if Smith can lift the SPL title in his final season at Ibrox it would be one of his greatest success, taking account of stretched resources at Rangers, finance investigations and the prospect of a takeover having distracted operations at Ibrox. Jefferies said: "They've done tremendously well to hang on in there and it would be one of his better achievements considering what he has had to contend with since the turn of the year. Hopefully now he's retiring I'll get that game of golf he promised me 15 years ago - I'm still waiting."
Hearts are 21 points behind the league leaders ahead of this weekend's fixtures, but Jefferies believes it might have been different had injuries to key players - Kevin Kyle in particular - and suspensions not had a detrimental impact on his side's progress. He went on: "If we hadn't had the injuries to the key players, we wouldn't be talking about third place now - there was a good optimism that we could challenge. We got close and it was at the time we lost these players that it fell away. I'm sure we would've clinched it (third place) long before now and been a lot closer to them (the Old Firm). I'm not saying we would've split them or won it, but we would've been a lot closer."
Andrew Driver is one of the players Jefferies has missed this season. The winger has made just 12 appearances due to thigh and knee problems. However, he is set to be included in the squad for Saturday's game despite being due to undergo hernia surgery next Tuesday. Jefferies said: "He's had a stomach strain and needs a hernia operation. He'll get it done so he can be fit for next season. It is a short break this year and he definitely needs a pre-season because he's missed the last couple due to injury."