Jim Jefferies was in reflective mood after last night's 2-0 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead.

The Hearts boss has suffered defeat in all three of his games in charge so far but he's not too downbeat about the results.

Celtic secured the victory with goals from Loovens and Fortune, although new boy Robbie Keane was kept at bay with a string of good Kello saves.

"I thought we did well tonight," he said after the match. "We had a lot of injuries so some young players had to come in a bit earlier than I would have liked.

"We lost a bad goal in the 49th minute and then a minute later we were 2-0 down. It wasn't until the last fifteen minutes we went 4-4-2 and probably had our best move of the game, when Obua, who I thought did well tonight, got a great ball in. I thought if Gary Glen got more on it we would have got at least a goal."

The Tynecastle manager knows the supporters will want to see results on the park, but he believes he is still developing knowledge of his new team.

"Every game that goes by we're learning about the situation," he explained.

"I'm not going to make assumptions based on two weeks in the job. I've got time between now and the end of the season, especially with the players I've got out.

"The players have got to use this time to prove they have a future at the club."

Jose Goncalves is one player yet to commit himself to the club and Jim expressed his desire to keep the Portuguese star at Tynecastle.

He revealed that work had continued since yesterday's pre-match news conference to secure Jose's services, but so far to no avail.

"I worked very hard with Jose to resolve the situation, last night," he said.

"I was there with him until 9pm and he was very close to signing. This morning I was right on the phone trying to convince him and to understand why he won't take the deal.

"I think the club's done fantastically well to offer him the deal they have. Jose is the one who's put himself out the team.

"It looks to me he's giving the vibes he doesn't want to play with Hearts. I'm trying to convince him to stay, the club wants him to stay. What's happened in the past is in the past."

The Tynecastle boss believes it would benefit his side if Jose signed a new deal and hopes to have a decision before the match against Falkirk on Saturday.

"We need every player available and he's still young with a lot of potential," he continued.

"He's a good prospect and I want to help him become a better player. I've made it clear I want him and the club's made it clear they want him."

On Hearts.TV today - Listen to post-match reaction from Jim and Dawid Kucharski plus catch all the highlights from Celtic Park