Skacel targets his best-ever goal haul after stunning start

PAUL KIDDIE

IN-FORM Hearts star Rudi Skacel today set himself the target of a career-best goals tally after scoring for the third game in a row against Dundee United.

The Czech midfielder completed the Jambos' 3-0 win over the Tangerines at Tannadice yesterday when he turned in Roman Bednar's cutback in the final minute, the victory carrying the Gorgie outfit two points clear at the top of the SPL.

The 26-year-old's strike followed efforts against Kilmarnock and Hibs and the loan star is now hoping to hit double figures for the first time in his career. "It's always nice to score goals and I was happy to get another one against Dundee United," said Skacel, who has moved to the Capital on loan from French club Marseille.

"I think my record in a season is nine goals so to have three already is good. Hopefully, I can get more and help Hearts have a good season."

The goal-a-game midfielder, called up to the Czech Republic squad for this week's friendly against Sweden, is enjoying his flying start to the season, although he is quick to stress that team success is far more important than personal glory.

"It's great to be scoring goals but they are not that important to me," he said. "The priority is to have the team winning. That is

three games we have played now and three wins we have managed. Obviously I'm very happy with the start we have made. It is very early in the league and all we can do is try to keep it going."

More than 5000 fans roared George Burley's side on to victory at Tannadice and the former Slavia Prague star said their vociferous backing made it feel more like a match at Tynecastle.

"I'd like to say thank you to the supporters for turning out in such big numbers yesterday," he said.

Burley was also delighted to see such a huge travelling support inside Tannadice, although he refuses to get carried away by his side's storming start to the campaign.

The Jambos play host to Aberdeen this weekend, Jimmy Calderwood's side having stunned Rangers 3-2 at Pittodrie and the Hearts boss said: "I'm sure there will be a capacity crowd this weekend, there were 5000 there yesterday and it's great to see them enjoying the style of football we're playing. I've been lucky at Derby and Ipswich where the fans were absolutely terrific to us.

"You can see the support and the feeling about the club at the moment. Everybody is optimistic but we know there is still a lot of work to be done."

With the transfer window closing at the end of the month, the Gorgie chief is also keen to continue recruiting new faces, with a right-back his priority.

He plans to talk to majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov later this week and he said today: "If we are going to qualify for Europe then we will have to keep strengthening the squad."

Debutant Takis Fyssas needed a couple of stitches above his left eye but will be fit for the weekend.

HEARTS Under-19s kicked off their season with an emphatic 5-2 victory over Dundee United at North End Park in Dundee.

Denis McLaughlin bagged a hat-trick with Jamie Mole and John Armstrong also on the scoresheet for Stevie Frail's side.

Taken from the Scotsman