Hearts captain Marius Zaliukas was made unavailable to Jefferies for last Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Rangers on the morning of the game at the behest of Romanov, who it is understood was concerned his fellow Lithuanian may be sent off by referee Iain Brines.

Jefferies was already without injured duo Andy Webster and Lee Wallace and the suspended Ismael Bouzid and today expressed his frustration at the decision.

But the Hearts boss insisted he has not considered quitting Tynecastle.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow night's SPL match with Celtic, Jefferies said: "There's no way I'm resigning. I'll come in here and I'll learn from that experience and I'll know what to do now.

"There were rumours going around on Saturday. I was getting texts from my son that I'd resigned.

"Yes, I was disappointed the way we were a bit short at the back, but the rumours that were flying around weren't true."

Zaliukas is set to return to the Hearts team against Celtic, while Jefferies is optimistic Marian Kello - the goalkeeper has also been out of the team of late due to an undisclosed "private matter" - will also play.

Romanov is set to travel to Edinburgh and attend tomorrow night's match and will meet Jefferies for discussions about the future of the club.

The Hearts boss, whose main dealings with Romanov are through Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas, added: "I'll meet him like we always do.

"If there's time before the game we'll do it, or if it's the day after - we'll be discussing going forward.

"If I've got any problems I'll not be sitting here discussing it with you.

"I'll be discussing it with the owner and Sergei."

Jefferies also said Hearts have appealed the sending off of Eggert Jonsson at Ibrox, meaning the Icelandic midfielder is available tomorrow night.