Hearts manager Jim Jefferies is surprised by the appointment of referee Willie Collum to officiate Saturday’s derby against Hibernian after Collum refused just over a fortnight ago to overturn his decision to send off Laryea Kingston in the Jambos’ 1-0 defeat at Aberdeen.

Jefferies can only hope the ref keeps his cards in his pocket and allow a fair and free-flowing game to go ahead at Tyncastle.

"I'm a bit surprised we get someone so quickly after that but I don't control the referees," said Jefferies. "He's down as one of the better [referees] and hopefully the game is played hard but fair and he lets the game run smoothly.

"It'll be like all derbies, blood-and-thunder stuff. There'll be a little bit more bite in the game. So I hope the referee realises what an important game it is and doesn't come out with a frenzy of yellow cards."

Saturday’s clash will be Jefferies first in his second spell as Hearts boss and will see the boyhood fan take on a similar counterpart in Hibs boss John Hughes. The pair had a rough relationship when as a player at Berwick Rangers Hughes was against the appointment of Jefferies as boss in 1988. Since then however they have worked together again at Falkirk before going up against each other when Jefferies was at Kilmarnock and Hughes was Bairns boss.

"I know he'll be wanting to win and he knows really well how badly I want to win," said Jefferies. "You thought you'd seen the back of them! This game comes along, it always adds a little bit of spice.

"We all know what it means to everyone connected with both clubs. Hibs will be trying hard but we're at home, we've got to take the initiative.

"We need to get a win - not just to get the bragging rights - but we need to get a win to try to get into the top six. If we have to motivate anybody to play in this game then they just shouldn't be in football.

"I'm sure John doesn't see it as problem and I'm hoping not to see it is a problem."