STOP SCORING OR YOU'LL END UP WITH BAN

RAGING Hearts ace Paul Hartley believes red-hot Rudi Skacel could be suspended for SCORING if referees continue to give him silly bookings for over-celebrating.

The Czech winger was yellow carded at Parkhead yesterday after steering home the Jambos equaliser in the compelling top of the table 1-1 draw.

Skacel wheeled away in delight after beating Hoops' Polish keeper Artur Boruc - ushered by match official Dougie McDonald.

But standside linesman Tom Murphy kept his flag raised and got Skacel booked for inciting the Celtic supporters.

It was the FOURTH time the eight-goal midfielder has been cautioned for celebrating this season and team-mate Hartley fears the SPL leaders will lose Skacel to suspension during a crucial period of the campaign.

The Scotland international said: "Rudi's been booked four times now just for celebrating and it's a concern for us if he ends up suspended later on in the season"He is an important player for us and we don't want to lose him. I just think it's a bad day for football when you are getting booked for scoring goals.

"He was obviously delighted to have got one today in a massive match but he didn't even go off the pitch.

"It's frustrating for him and for us and hopefully we won't lose him over those bookings - he also got yellow cards against Kilmarnock, Hibs and Inverness for the same thing.

"Maybe Rudi should stop celebrating altogether or maybe just stop scoring goals!"

Hartley was outstanding again for George Burley's men who earned a deserved point and remain unbeaten at the top of the SPL.

Fellow Scotland international Craig Beattie put Gordon Strachan's side ahead in the 13th minute, only for Skacel to level after a blunder between Boruc and Paul Telfer.

Hartley is adamant previous Hearts teams would have crumbled after going behind in the east end of Glasgow but insists the current crop of players at Tynecastle is made of sterner stuff.

He said: "It is good to come here almost as an equal for once. Normally when we come to Celtic Park we are 12 points behind them.

"But it was a well-earned draw for us today - you can see the tremendous spirit we have in the camp now.

"A lot of teams go a goal down here and get a right doing but we showed great character to come back and equalise.

"Sometimes when foreigners come in to a club they are a bit different so it's good to have a few Scottish boys in the side who know what it's all about coming through here.

"We are pleased with the point but obviously we had other chances and could have got more from the game."

As well as Skacel's needless booking, Hartley was also fuming at the free-kick awarded by the same linesman and it led to the opener from Beattie.

Japanese midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura was fouled on the right wing by Skacel and Hartley gave Murphy a verbal volley on the touchline.

He said: "The linesman put his flag up too often - maybe he hasn't had it raised in a few weeks.

"I felt in the first half he made some bad decisions in favour of Celtic.

"It is difficult to keep your emotions in check and maybe I over-reacted once or twice."

It was the end of a gruelling fortnight for Hartley who played 180 minutes for Scotland last week in the double header against Belarus and Slovenia.

Although he showed no signs of tiredness yesterday the 28-yearold knows gaffer George Burley will HAVE to strengthen his squad in January if they want to maintain their championship challenge.

He said: "Everyone knows our squad isn't the strongest and if we get injuries and suspensions we could struggle.

"If you look at our bench to Celtic's today, it doesn't compare - we're still having to use a lot of youngsters. But I'm sure George will have his targets for the January transfer window and I'm confident the club will do everything they can to get him the players he wants.

"Our work ethic is keeping us going at the moment - all of George Burley's teams in the past have had that and you can see it in us.

"We have a different mentality now - we're coming to places like Celtic without fear. We went out and tried to win that game today.

"The lads up front - Edgaras Jankauskis and Michel Pospisil - were fantastic. They worked so hard for the team.

"In the meantime we just have to keep winning games.

"We're unbeaten and top of the league - that's the way we want to keep it

Taken from the Sunday Mail