Frail admits Jambos may apply for the InterToto Cup

HEARTS interim manager Stephen Frail revealed today that the club are contemplating applying for InterToto Cup entry next season – but insisted that doesn't mean they've given up hope of making the UEFA Cup.

The Jambos currently sit in ninth place in the SPL, some way adrift of third spot which would secure automatic European qualification.

Since Frail was handed full control of team affairs they have shown signs of improvement, winning their last two league outings against Hibs and Aberdeen to keep alive their slim hopes. Pushing their way into the top six prior to the league split is the club's immediate priority before they attempt to close in on the teams further up the table.

Prior to this afternoon's matches, Hearts were 11 points behind third-placed Dundee United and five behind Falkirk in sixth.

And, while Frail admitted that the InterToto Cup is an option the Jambos are exploring, he assured supporters that he and the players would still be striving to reel in United.

"It's a possibility," said Frail when asked whether the club would be applying for the competition before the April 8 deadline.

"There is a good standard of opposition in the competition so it's something that the club will look at.

"We would have to start training a couple of weeks earlier but football is now 12 months of the year and the plus would be that we would have competitive games.

"We would have to look at the early start but it can take you into the season and the start of it is probably not far away from when we started last year.

"It sounds strange to say that we've not given up hope of getting into Europe either but if we can put a wee run together then we can kick on.

"We're not making any grand statements that we're going to finish third or fourth because the position we are in the league it will be very difficult but we need to be positive and try and win as many games as we can."

Meanwhile, Frail has dismissed reports linking the club with a move for former Rangers star Bob Malcolm.

The utility player, who can 0operate in defence or midfield, is a free agent after being released by Derby County and can therefore be signed outwith the transfer deadline.

The 27-year-old had been linked with a move to American Major League Soccer outfit Dallas FC while Hearts have also been credited with an interest in him.

Frail, however, insisted he is not a player that the club are looking to pursue.

"Bob is a good player and did well at Rangers but he's not one for us as far as I'm concerned," he said. "I consider him to be a midfielder and we are pretty well off in that area."