Jefferies: I tried to sign Hibs boss Hughes for Hearts

Hearts boss Jim Jefferies admits he tried to sign Hibs rival John Hughes during his first spell in charge.

Hughes, who had been his loyal captain at both Berwick and Falkirk, perfectly fitted the bill.

The only problem was the stopper's obvious affection for Hibs having been born and raised in Leith.

Jefferies said: "I think we did make an enquiry about John - but nothing came of it. It was just before I got David Weir.

"I had worked with John and knew he was a good player. Would he have come? Definitely. He would have come because of Billy Brown and me.

"We would have signed him because we knew him. That's why I took him to Falkirk, because he was fantastic for us. The thing you've got to consider is the Hibs connection, which might have made it a strange one.

"That wouldn't have been my concern, because I know Yogi would have won the fans over.

"I'm sure there are people at Hibs who know that John Robertson is a perfect example. He turned out to be a great Hearts man, but if you asked him who he supported as a boy, he would say he grew up a Hibee.

"These things happen in football. Robbo soon became a Hearts man and that's what you always try to get people to do.

"It was an enquiry, but I don't think it lasted too long."