WITHOUT A DOUBT WE CAN TAKE TITLE

RUDI SKACEL last night insisted a victory over Celtic would go a long way to shutting up the doubters about Hearts' title chances.

The Czech midfielder scored in the Jambos' first seven SPL matches as they swept along to a 100 per cent record.

Rangers became scalp No.8 as Hearts won their first half of the Old Firm crunch 1-0 at Tynecastle.

Now George Burley's side face Celtic hoping to prove they are the real thing in the title battle.

Skacel said: "Should we beat Celtic, we'll prove we belong at the top.

"Every single game is important but it's true the match against Celtic will be special.

"But while we're focusing on the game, talking about who is going to win the league is a bit premature.

"There are many games ahead of us but a possible success against Celtic would further fire up our team.

"It may look like Celtic and Hearts are the main title contenders on paper and ifwe succeed at Parkhead everyone will be pointing at us.

"But we need to go from one game to the next and not get distracted by speculation.

"It's very simple - we need to keep winning.

"The game against Celtic will give us another opportunity to do that."

Skacel was linked with a move to Celtic at one stage but insists he is happy at Tynecastle.

He said: "There were a few options and Celtic was one of them. But I'm glad I ended up at Hearts because I felt they had biggest faith in me.

"It's a brand new role for me to be a hero with the fans and it doesn't feel bad at all.

"But I need to keep my feet firmly on the ground - otherwise it would be the way to hell."

Skacel has promised to wear a kilt if Hearts win the title but when asked at what point in the season he will think of ordering one he said: "No sooner than after the final game

Taken from the Daily Record