Jim Jefferies says Old Firm are sure to rise to the challenge

Although delighted by that result, and encouraged by the return from a long-term injury of Lee Wallace, Jefferies is still very cautious when it comes to talk of a title bid. Maintaining a challenge is the stated aim at present: the declaration of any grander ambition will have to wait until results merit it.

"Everyone's shouting about what we are going to do, but we will get a clearer indication once we cross the line on matchday and do our talking there," Jefferies said. "Starting at Kilmarnock, where we got the three points, we said the next three or four or five games will give us a clear indication of if we can put in a challenge.

"We are trying to have a good season. We said at the start of the season at the very least we should be competing for third place. Eleven points gives us a cushion, but the chance is there and we have to grab that chance.

"This is where Rangers and Celtic don't make it easy for you. They have experience of teams getting close to them before and this is when they are at their most resilient, too.

"When anyone threatens them, they can up their game, too. It's not going to be easy, but we have belief and confidence and spirit and we need to show that on Saturday and play to our very best."

In individual games many Scottish teams often appear beaten by the Old Firm before they take the pitch. Jefferies, however, is confident his own team now have the belief that they can challenge Rangers and Celtic.

"I would be disappointed if they didn't. When you are winning games and playing well as we are, if you don't have confidence that you can go on and get a result then that would be disappointing.

"After Kilmarnock beat us (in late October - Hearts' last league defeat] we beat Hibs then we beat Celtic at home. We got a good result and that shows when we are on top of our game we will give anyone a game.

"So the players should have belief in themselves. We have given ourselves an opportunity and the good thing is we go into the game with no pressure, because we have built up a wee cushion on the team in fourth place."

One particularly impressive feature of Tuesday night's win at Rugby Park was the fact it was achieved without either Kevin Kyle or Rudi Skacel, both of whom were injured.

Stephen Elliott came off the bench to score both goals, and, in general, further evidence was provided for Jefferies' case that this current squad is the deepest in terms of quality that he has worked with during his two spells in charge at Tynecastle.

"I've never said it was a better team than 1998, because that team put in a great challenge and won a cup," he said. "But we have more numbers and more strength in depth than that squad in 1998 had.

"I would like us to be as good as that team, but that is for people to analyse at the end of the season. But as far as numbers and quality in the squad, this is much stronger."

The squad is all the more stronger when Skacel and Kyle are in it, of course, and the manager is hopeful of having both back for tomorrow's lunchtime kick-off. "The chances are better than earlier in the week," he said. "They are not 100 per cent certain. But they are both desperate to play and there's every chance they will."

Walter Smith's squad, in contrast to the one at Jefferies' disposal, is getting smaller. Kenny Miller's departure for Turkey is sure to weaken the champions, but Jefferies warned they still have a lot of quality even without the SPL's top scorer.

"Kenny Miller's loss would weaken any team, but he doesn't do it on his own for Rangers. They have won matches when Kenny hasn't been playing.

"Maybe Walter's not got as big a squad as he had in the past, but they've got a resilience and determination when their backs are against the wall in terms of their finances.

"That makes people pull together and I heard him saying a few weeks ago that's what they've got to do.

"They know what's expected of them. There's a lot more pressure on them and Celtic because fans demand they win the league. When anyone puts their head up to challenge, that just makes them more determined to keep what they have got.

"But it's down to confidence and belief and spirit and hopefully we can show that on Saturday. We know it's a tough game, but hopefully Rangers will leave Tynecastle on Saturday knowing they have been in a tough, tough match. Walter will have them well warned they will need to be at their best to get a result."

Taken from the Scotsman