Jim Jefferies knows all about the pressures of the Tynecastle hotseat.
But Hearts’ legendary Scottish Cup-winning boss is adamant those demands will not faze the current occupant after Steven Naismith was confirmed as the club’s permanent manager following his spell in interim charge. Naismith has been given the title of technical director as he does not yet hold the UEFA Pro Licence required to manage in European competition, with Frankie McAvoy being named as head coach.
However, Jefferies knows Naismith will be the man in charge, apart from European games until he possesses the necessary coaching qualifications, and insists the challenge for him is to make Hearts Scottish football’s third force and close the gap on the big two. Hearts finished fourth and were a massive 45 points behind champions Celtic and 38 adrift of Rangers. Jefferies knows the club need to mount a greater challenge and said: “I’ve known Steven since he was a boy and he’s got what is required to be a manager.
