Jim Jefferies believes it is fitting Hearts have awarded Robbie Neilson with a testimonial as he is one of the clubs great survivors.Neilson, who was signed by Jefferies for Hearts in 1996, is being honoured with a match between the Jambos 1998 and 2006 Scottish Cup-winning teams on Sunday.

Jefferies was in charge of Hearts when they lifted the Scottish Cup 10 years ago and he will be back in charge of those players this weekend at Tynecastle for Neilson's testimonial.

Jefferies, whose Kilmarnock side face Hearts on Saturday, believes the way Neilson has come through the numerous managerial changes at the club means he deserves this accolade.

The manager explained: "Robbie was a player I signed and gave him his debut.

"He's a terrific lad and the game that's arranged will be a good one for the supporters to come and see some of the lads who won the Scottish Cup in 1998.

"Robbie is deserving of this. He's played under five or six managers and when new managers come in they changed things but Robbie's managed to survive.

"That proves he has something for him still to be there and it's a credit to him.

"Robbie's a good player and has been capped for Scotland and I'm sure he'll still harbour ambitions of getting more.

"He must be one of the youngest to ever get a testimonial but he deserves it as since he was a kid he's knuckled down.

"When he went on loan he looked at it as a positive and used it to get experience.

"He's been a good servant so far and will be in the future to Hearts.

"He could have left but he stayed with Hearts. He's a very good professional and I'm chuffed to be involved in his testimonial."

Jefferies is looking forward to being back in charge of the players he guided to Scottish Cup glory ten years ago.

He said: "In 1998 we had a great run in the league and won the Scottish Cup. I think from that side only Gary Naysmith and David Weir won't be playing.

"But guys like Thomas Flogel, Gilles Rousset and Stefano Salvatori will be there and people like Stevie Fulton and Colin Cameron. It'll be great to meet up with them and see how they're doing.

"I'll get the players wound up and take them back down memory lane."

Hearts will leave out skipper Christophe Berra as another booking for the defender could see him incur a two-match ban, which would rule him out of next season's opening.

The club have already lost midfielder Ruben Palazuelos for the first match of next term after he picked up a booking in Monday night's defeat at Falkirk.

Hearts caretaker boss Stephen Frail will assess the fitness of young striker Gary Glen, who suffered a calf injury in that game.

More Football News from TEAMtalk