JEFFERIES ORDERS KILLIE TO IGNORE JAMBOS' CRISIS

FORMER Tynecastle duo Jim Jefferies and Gary Locke insist Kilmarnock need to forget about Hearts' current crisis if they want to be the first team to beat them in the SPL.

Jefferies has urged his side not to be distracted by the furore engulfing the league leaders after the controversial departure of George Burley.

The Killie boss, who was in charge at Hearts for six years and led them to Scottish Cup glory in 1998, still has strong connections with the club and was responsible for bringing in current caretaker boss John McGlynn.

But Jefferies admits he will be doing in everything in his power to burst Hearts' bubble.

He said: "Whether the current situation affects them or not, only time will tell but we will need to be at the top of our game to get anything.

"I've told the players to focus on playing a team who are undefeated in the league.

"Steven Pressley said Hearts' players have a duty to their fans. They will be determined to stay top of the league."

Killie are without a win in their last six matches after a tremendous start to the campaign but Jefferies feels they head to his old stomping ground full of optimism.

He said: "We would like to go there in a better position as we haven't won in our last few games and we have a few injuries.

"We should have taken something from Celtic and it was the same the previous week at Hibs. We played well both times but didn't take anything so now is the time for us to start picking up points again."

Locke, who spent nine years with Hearts,is also full of confidence and believes Killie could be facing his old team at exactly the right time.

He said: "Hopefully, the current problems at Hearts will affect them but we just have to concentrate on our own game

Taken from the Daily Record