 Jim Jefferies is considering the visit of Dundee United as a chance to prove he and his side mean business with a realistic ambition of finishing third in the SPL. After last season's disappointment of finishing sixth, Jefferies has set himself and his squad a target of returning to European football. The early signs are promising with a draw against St Johnstone and last week's 4-0 thrashing of Hamilton at New Douglas Park garnering four points in total. However, Jefferies knows United pose their first serious test of their European aspirations with the visitors finishing third last season. Jefferies said: "I would love to go into the international break after winning the game. Then you could say that there is now a base to kick on and do what we set out to do, and that's to be at the right end of the table competing. People have been saying it's a different Hearts side this year and that we're going to be a difficult team to overcome, that's a positive sign for us. The performance, attitude and application have been terrific and if we show that consistently you have more chance of getting results. This is probably a test the fact that everyone will be looking at Dundee United being away and this might be a chance. They were not third for nothing, they're a decent side." |