Sergio dedicates win to Jefferies

Paulo Sergio was elated after leading Hearts into Friday's Europa League play-off draw, with a 4-1 win over Paks at Tynecastle securing a 5-2 aggregate success.

And the Portuguese then dedicated the win to his predecessor Jim Jefferies. Two days following his appointment in place of Jefferies, who was in charge of last week's Europa League third qualifying round first-leg tie in Hungary, new Hearts boss Sergio oversaw a rampant display.

"I have to dedicate this victory to Mr Jefferies. There's a lot of him in this result," Sergio said.

Ryan Stevenson scored twice in 12 first-half minutes, with Andrew Driver marking his return from injury with a well-worked third after 50 minutes and Rudi Skacel celebrating his six-month contract extension with an easy fourth 19 minutes from time.

The only blot on a result which will have satisfied Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov was Daniel Bode's 89th-minute consolation.

"I think we had a very good game. The second goal was very important for us," Sergio added. "There were some things I didn't like too, but with time we will improve those things."

Sergio appeared calm and collected on the touchline and received a rousing reception from Hearts fans, who chanted the name of both of the men who have been in charge of Hearts this week.

But the 43-year-old former Sporting Lisbon boss revealed he was less relaxed than normal.

He said: "I was more nervous than usual. But you can imagine if you don't know your players as well as you wish you're a little bit anxious.

"But generally they gave a very good answer and I'm happy with them."