Jim Jefferies has revealed clamping down on Hearts' disciplinary problems was his top priority. Jefferies is more than aware of the huge number of red cards the Jambos have picked up in recent seasons - 25 in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League in the last two-and-a-half years.

"These things shouldn't happen," he said.

"They want to do their battling on the pitch - and I don't mean that in a punch-up way.

"If it's not going your way and you're angry, you've just got to bite your tongue.

"Retaliation gets you in trouble. That's something that we need to address."

Hearts have yet to see red in Jefferies' four matches back at the helm but the manager admits that is more by accident than design.

Jefferies is keen to stamp out the kind of ill discipline that has seen the club fined £50,000 in the past year.

"This club has been fined heavily for their conduct on the park and that has to change," said Jefferies, who plans to meet managing director Campbell Ogilvie on Monday to discuss the problem. "The fines will only go up and up.

"If it's for dissent and reckless challenges and arguing with the referee, every club would put up a strict code of conduct."

He added: "They need to see some guidelines put down in writing so that they know exactly what's happening if they step out of line.

"Nobody's wanting them fined.

"But they have to learn that this can't go on.

"I've ended up being without Michael Stewart a couple of times for stupid things.

"Christian Nade - before I came here - kicked the ball away, got himself sent off."