Jefferies: This can be best day ever.

Jim Jefferies has urged his Hearts glory-seekers to make this afternoon the greatest 90 minutes of their lives.

The Tynecastle boss had a day to savour yesterday when he was named Bell's manager of the year.

Now the icing on the cake would be to watch Hearts lift their first trophy in 36 years, by defeating Rangers in today's Scottish Cup final at Parkhead.

Jefferies was thrilled to receive the top boss accolade - beating off the challenge of Wim Jansen who led Celtic to the Premier title before quitting this week.

The Hearts boss admitted : "I'm quite surprised.

"When you look at what Wim achieved in his first season with Celtic, winning the League Cup and Premier League double, I thought it would have been a foregone conclusion.

"But people obviously appreciate the job we've done at Tynecastle this season with limited resources and it means a lot to receive this recognition.

"Mind you, I'd swop it all to win the Scottish Cup!"

Jefferies' side finished third in the league after pushing Celtic and Rangers close all season and he's hoping that his Hearts stars will be the prize guys this afternoon - and wind up a season of misery for Rangers.

He said : "The players have the opportunity to make this the greatest day of their lives.

"We can use this game as a platform to consistently mount a challenge at the top."

Hearts enjoyed a tremendous Bell's double yesterday as their brilliant 22- year-old defender Paul Ritchie won the young player of the year award.

Alex Totten was voted the Division One manager of the year while the Division Two and Three awards went to Stranraer boss Campbell Money and Alloa's Tom Hendrie, who both led their teams to promotion this season.

Taken from the Daily Record