Jim Jefferies could not hide his delight today as his Hearts side secured a 2-1 victory over Hibs in the Tynecastle legend's first derby match back after returning to manage the club seven weeks ago.

Tynecastle was packed to the rafters with its biggest crowd of the season and they were treated to a terrific attacking performance from the home side that wasn't reflected in the full-time score.

First half goals from Andrew Driver and Gary Glen put Hearts on their way to victory but the game should have long been settled as a contest before a late strike from Derek Riordan set up a nervy final ten minutes.

The men in maroon held on for a deserved victory and JJ was quick to praise the job done by his players.

He said: "We started the game really well. Straight from the kick off Obua's had a great header that's caused them a bit of panic and right from there we never looked back. Every ball that we played into their box I thought we were going to score.

"If we'd score to make it four or five nothing at one time then I don't think that would have flattered us at all. What pleased me was the way we started the second half when we had three great opportunities in a ten minute spell.

"It was just a terrific application and commitment to the team today and there was no way we didn't deserve to win that today, if we had of dropped points in the end then it would have been a travesty."

What was particularly pleasing about the application shown by the Hearts players was that many of the starting line-up weren't expected to make the game. Indeed the club's injury crisis that continued into the first half with Dawid Kucharski and Ian Black being forced off through injury.

Jefferies explained his reasoning for the surprise inclusions of players who were previously thought of as out of this match.

He continued: "We took a gamble with Ruben, Driver and Black but I just thought that it would give us a lift with them in the teaming just having that extra experience ahead of some of the young boys.

"I thought that we would take one or two off but of course we had the set back with the two injuries in the first half. So we had to move Lee Wallace to the centre and he did great. Palazuelos played great at left back and Stevenson when he came on I thought was outstanding in the second half."

Since taking over the vacant manager's post at Tynecastle Jefferies has continually preached about getting the side back playing attacking football and today he was thrilled with the way in which his players went about their business.

"I seen a dressing room today that was pandemonium today and I sat them down and said 'listen, the score flattered them today as you could have won by four or five but that just proves that you've got the ability to go and create chances'," he revealed.

"It all bodes well for the future if we keep showing the same passion, will to win a game and the will to get forward because, certainly since I've been here, they've never made as many chances in a game as they did today."

On Hearts.TV today - Catch post-match reaction from JJ and Andrew Driver and later watch all the action from Tynecastle with comprehensive match highlights