SKACEL IS NEW ROBBO

JOHN ROBERTSON last night hailed Hearts hero Rudi Skacel as the new Bryan Robson.

And the former Jambos player and boss backed the Czech midfielder to keep up his early-season scoring record and send the Tynecastle men on the way to title glory.

Skacel has netted in six consecutive games, equalling a 19-year-old record held by Robbo, to help Hearts go five points clear at the top of the SPL.

And after watching the sixth of those strikes in the 4-1 win at Livingston on Sunday Robertson reckons there will be plenty more to follow.

He said: "There's something really special about Rudi and I can understand why he's already a big hero with the Hearts fans.

"He's making the sort of runs into the box that Bryan Robson did in his prime at Manchester United and his finishing is remarkable.

"Each of his goals has been different. He's scored from close in and he's scored crackers from outside of the box.He also has great awareness and a good work-rate, so it's easy to see why the Hearts fans are already singing his name.

"I've been where he is, scoring goals in a run of games,and when you do that you often go into games convinced you'll get more goals.

"I'm sure Rudi feels the same way and the amazing thing about that is he is a midfielder, not a striker. Almost every other player on the consecutive scoring list is a striker except Rudi.

"His goals and Paul Hartley's strikes could be very important if Hearts are to keep on winning the games they need to stay in the hunt."

Robbo, now riding high at the top of the First Division with Ross County, was sacked as Hearts manager at the end of the last season to make way for George Burley but insists he has no regrets.

Robbo said: "Mr Romanov made a football decision when I left Hearts and it's hard to say it was the wrong one when you look at how well Hearts have started under George.

"They are playing some fantastic football and, as a former Hearts player, they are a joy to watch. I see no reason why Hearts can't stay the distance"We should all be excited about what Hearts are doing for Scottish football. They've signed some top-class players but still have a backbone of top Scottish players like Craig Gordon, Hartley, Steven Pressley and Jamie McAllister.

"They also have a squad of 28players who have all had first-team experience and Mr Romanov has made it clear he will spend the money in January so this is a genuine title challenge."

Meanwhile, Hearts striker Edgar Jankauskas is a doubt for their trip to Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday after picking upan injury in the win over Livingston.

Burley said: "He was feeling his hamstring a wee bit but we'll see how he is over the next couple of days

Taken from the Daily Record