Former Hearts boss Jim Jefferies today paid tribute to the thousands of Hearts fan who attended Robbie Neilson's testimonial match at Tynecastle.

Nearly 8000 supporters flocked to the Gorgie stadium to watch a 98/06 cup-winning Hearts Select take on the current Hearts team and they were treated to an afternoon of nostalgia as the stars of the past rolled back the years to honour the right-back.

As manager of the Select side, Jim was delighted to see the heroes of 1998 turn back the clock to participate in Robbie's big day but insisted it was the supporters who made the occasion yesterday.

"I think the Hearts fans deserve a lot of credit for turning out in such numbers," he said.

"It has not been a great season for them and when you take on a game like that, especially given Saturday's result, things could have been a bit flat.

"But the atmosphere was terrific. The fans put Saturday to the back of their minds and got right behind the players and it was great to see."

Jim also paid tribute to long-serving Robbie, adding: "In this day and age of Bosman, to get a testimonial is a terrific achievement.

"Robbie has shown his loyalty to Hearts by staying for so many years and judging by the turn out yesterday, the fans appreciate that.

"It was Robbie's day and it says a lot for him that so many players travelled to Edinburgh from all over for the match."

Robbie, meanwhile, is due at No. 10 Downing Street this evening, when he will be formally inducted into the Show Racism The Red Card Hall of Fame, the full-back becoming the first-ever Hearts player to receive such an honour.

On Hearts.TV today - Later on catch extended highlights of yesterday's game plus post match interviews with Jim Jefferies, Robbie Neilson, John Robertson, Stephane Adam, Dave McPherson and Michal Pospisil.