Boss Jim Jefferies today insisted Gary Locke has the potential to become a future Hearts manager.

JJ moved quickly to appoint the former captain as first-team coach and views his ex-skipper as the ideal link between him and the dressing-room.

Gary has admitted it is a dream come true to be coaching Hearts, although Jim sees no reason why he can't eventually follow him into the hot seat one day.

"When he was suffering from injury at Kilmarnock I had a chat to him as I felt he was tailor-made," Jim told Hearts.TV.

"You have to start somewhere. He is well thought of and is great for spirit. He is not just here because he is a Hearts supporter, though. He's doing his badges and people outwith this club think he is destined for that side of things.

"He is very good around younger players and he will be the link from Billy and I to the dressing-room to get the message across. The players have already said they are enjoying having him around.

"He might be a future manager or assistant manager. You have to give them a start with a view to the future. I am sure it would be a big dream of his to manage the club one day, and why not?"

And there's more from Jim today - log on to heartsfc.co.uk to find out what the new manager thought of the young players after Saturday's win over Falkirk!

On Hearts.TV today - Jim Jefferies tells it straight in the first part of an EXCLUSIVE Q&A.