Hearts boss Jefferies relieved after derby triumph

Hearts boss Jim Jefferies admitted some relief after their derby victory over Hibs.

Hearts triumphed 2-1 at Tynecastle after Jefferies restored Andrew Driver, Ruben Palazuelos and Ian Black to his starting line-up despite their recent knee problems.

Driver, making only his second start in four months, volleyed the opening goal in the 24th minute and his corner led to Gary Glen heading home three minutes later.

Winger Driver had returned to training on Monday after six weeks on the sidelines, but Palazuelos only started back on Friday after a similar lay-off.

Jefferies, who saw Jose Goncalves fail a morning fitness test, was forced into an 18th-minute reshuffle when Dawid Kucharski limped off and Black did not last long enough to see the second goal after suffering a head knock.

But his side created numerous chances and a makeshift central defence of Lee Wallace and Eggert Jonsson, with Palazuelos deputising at left-back, survived comfortably after Derek Riordan netted in the 79th minute.

Jefferies said: "It was too close at the end, it should have been over. If the score had been four or five-nil at one stage, I don't think it would have flattered us. What pleased me was the way we started the second half - we had three great opportunities in a 10-minute spell.

"The goal that got them back into it was down to tired legs. Ruben tried to stop the ball coming in but I can't complain. We took a gamble with him, Black and Driver, but I felt their experience was important in a match like this. I just felt Hibs would get a surprise when they saw the team sheet.

"We had planned to take them off after an hour but the two injuries obviously upset us."