HEARTS will secure a UEFA Cup place with a win over Kilmarnock today but Valdas Ivanauskas, the interim head coach, says that will not be good enough.
The Lithuanian said the club was focused on keeping Rangers at bay and securing a Champions League qualifying spot by finishing second in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague.
"It's nice to know we can get a UEFA Cup spot by beating Kilmarnock, but the players want more, " said Ivanauskas. "We want to win every game until the end of the season and make the Champions League."
The Hearts coach also gave new hope to fans who believe Rudi Skacel will be leaving the club in the summer. The Czech international midfielder went off in the huff after being omitted from the squad for the 4-0 home win over Dunfermline last week and is expected to leave Tynecastle at the end of the season.
However, Ivanauskas, who has the ear of club owner Vladimir Romanov, said "I have a good feeling about Rudi but we need the real Rudi back for us, playing well from now on."
He refused, however, to elaborate on his statement regarding Skacel, but confirmed he had been reinstated for the match against Kilmarnock.
Hearts striker Juho Makela also made it clear that the Champions League rather than the UEFA Cup was the aim.
The Finn made only his second appearance for Hearts as a substitute last week against Dunfermline and scored the fourth goal.
"I have played in Champions League qualification matches for HJK Helsinki and would like to make the tournament proper, " said Makela. "It was a huge experience for Helsinki and it will be a huge thing for Hearts to get there."
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