Hearts name Jim Jefferies as new manager

Jim Jefferies has been confirmed tonight as the new manager of Hearts, a matter of hours after the sacking of Csaba Laszlo. Jefferies, who was the Hearts manager when they won the Scottish Cup in 1998, left Kilmarnock by mutual consent earlier this month. He was tonight heading to Tynecastle Stadium to meet the Hearts squad. Laszlo departed earlier on the day after a disagreement with the Hearts hierarchy. Hearts currently sit fifth in the Scottish Premier League table, 11 points behind their Edinburgh rivals Hibernian. Jefferies, who also captained the Jambos during his playing career, said: "Everyone knows the affection I have got for the club. I think over the years a lot of people have linked me with the job a couple of times and there was a groundswell of hope. I didn't give it any thought until I got the call this afternoon. It is unbelievable to have been spoken to in connection with the job." Despite Hearts being around £30m in debt, Jefferies believes he is taking over at "a great time". "We're in the top half and we're in a cup semi-final. It is very positive," he said. "It is not often a manager can come back and it has been nine years. Hopefully, we can use the experience gained in that time. Although I am a bit older, the passion is still there for this club."