Boss Jim Jefferies today revealed that Marian Kello has already established himself as his first-choice goalkeeper.

The Slovakian ace has been in excellent form for Hearts since replacing Janos Balogh at half-time in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Hamilton in early December.

Jim has been impressed with the keeper since taking over from Csaba Laszlo recently, Marian starting both the league meeting with St Johnstone and the Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final against St Mirren.

"He looks to me like a safe pair of hands," Jim said. "A lot of crosses which have come in he has dealt with well.

"He couldn't have done anything about the winner in the semi-final and in fact he saved us on a couple of occasions and kept us in the game at a crucial time. If we had gone 2-0 down we might have lost by more.

"We have been very impressed by him."

Janos missed the cup-tie through illness and Jim says the onus is on the Hungarian to keep working hard in training as he waits for his opportunity.

"Janos was was unwell last week so that's why he wan't included against St Mirren," said Jim. "But he'll come back into training and we'll have a look at him if ever we feel the need. But I have to say Marian has definitely impressed us.

"It's up to Janos to keep pushing him. Keepers can easily get injured or lose a bit of form so he has to keep working hard. It's Marian's task to keep Janos out and to make sure it's difficult for him to get back in.

"We also have a couple of good younger goalies in Jamie MacDonald and Mark Ridgers so we're quite well off for keepers."

On Hearts.TV today, new man Ryan Stevenson talks in-depth for the first time since joining Hearts.