VERSATILE SKACEL LAUDED BY BURLEY

Hearts manager George Burley is reaping the benefits of his decision to transform Rudi Skacel from defender to a goalscoring midfielder.

The Marseille player was loaned out to Greek club Panathinaikos last season where he played as a left-back.

But, since arriving in Edinburgh this summer, the 26-year-old has hit five goals in five successive games to help take the Jambos to the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

The Tynecastle side will defend a 100% record at Livingston on Sunday to earn Burley and Skacel the Manager and Player of the Month awards for August.

But Burley believes Skacel deserves his award for his versatility.

He said: "When you have a group of players, you work with them, you look at their strengths and weaknesses and try and gel it together.

"I was aware Rudi is versatile, can play anywhere on the left and play in the centre of midfield.

"Rudi played at left-back a lot last season for Panathinaikos and his strength is his energy, he loves joining in and has a role in the team where he is allowed to do that.

"It is about trying to get the best out of everybody and Rudi has enjoyed having that little bit of freedom on the left-hand side.

"I wouldn't dream of moving him back to left-back at the moment.

"To score five goals in five games is tremendous, but he is very much a team player.

"He is enjoying it and has certainly been a credit to Hearts in the way he has gone about his game and the way he has enjoyed being in Scotland."

But, despite enjoying life in Scotland, Skacel admits he is reluctant to commit himself to a longer stay.

The Czech Republic international said: "I like Hearts and I like Edinburgh.

"Back home everybody asks me about the Scottish league, the weather and the women. There is only one problem - the weather.

"It is a good start for the team and for me, but we will see if I will stay.

"My record for a season is nine goals with Slavia Prague but the goals are not important for me, it is important that we take three points."

Michal Pospisil (hamstring) and Neil MacFarlane (knee) are both ruled out of the trip to Almondvale.

Taken from sportinglife.com