Bednar believes he can see light at end of Roman holiday

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS strike star Roman Bednar is winning his fitness race - he's just not sure if he'll have crossed the finishing line in time for the forthcoming derby showdown with Hibs.

The Czech Republic Under-21 front man is recovering ahead of schedule after injuring his knee in last month's triumph over Rangers at Tynecastle, his first-half header enough to give the Jambos a famous victory.

Bednar limped out of the fray soon after following a tackle by Marvin Andrews and was forced to undergo keyhole surgery on a torn cartilage, an operation which was expected to see the player sidelined for six weeks.

However, he is poised to start running again at the beginning of next week as he steps up his rehabilitation with the second derby of the season looming large at Easter Road on October 29.

Having already savoured the excitement of his side's 4-0 thumping of their arch rivals in August, the Tynecastle target man is determined to push himself as hard as he can in order to make the trip to Leith although he doesn't want to raise too many expectations.

"Day by day things are feeling better and I think I'll be ready in two to three weeks," he said.

"I might have a chance of making the Hibs game but I think it is unlikely.

"I think that game will come too soon for me but it shouldn't be too long after that before I am ready to play.

"I am doing exercises on the bicycle at the moment and I will have a better idea once I start running in a few days' time."

It's not been easy for Bednar to watch from the sidelines but he's hoping to get back among the goals as soon as possible to aid his side's championship challenge.

"I need to make sure everything is okay before I get back playing again but it's all going well at the moment."

Bednar's absence from the Gorgie attack has not prevented George Burley's side maintaining their advantage at the top of the SPL, the Jambos playing host to struggling Dunfermline this weekend three points clear of nearest rivals Celtic. The injured striker was in the main stand at Parkhead on Saturday to cheer his team on to a deserved share of the spoils, fellow-countryman Rudi Skacel earning his side a point with his first-half equaliser.

It was the in-form midfielder's eighth strike of the SPL campaign, a feat which left his team-mate shaking his head in disbelief.

"It was not easy watching from the stand as I love to play and score goals but these things happen football I suppose," he said.

"The game at the weekend was great match and in the first half-hour in particular it was end to end action with many chances for both sides.

"It is crazy that Rudi is scoring so many goals - it shouldn't be possible for a midfielder.

"But then again it doesn't really surprise me as having seen him play for Slavia Prague I knew he was a player hungry to score goals.

"He's doing a great job and hopefully he can keep the good work going."

Bednar's bubbly personality was tested to the full in the immediate aftermath of his injury, although he is happy to be over the worst of it now as he targets a return to action.

"I wasn't very happy after the Rangers game despite scoring the winner," he said.

"I had gone from such a high after putting us into the lead to a big low after leaving the match the way I did.

"I was on crutches afterwards and feeling very down but things are improving and I'm a lot better now."

Burley's side have exceeded all expectations in leaving their SPL rivals trailing in their wake as the end of October approaches.

Although there the season is just ten games old, Bednar is confident Hearts have what it takes to push Celtic and Rangers all the way.

"We are top of the league just now but hopefully we can be there after 20 and then 30 games," he said.

"I think it is possible as we have now played both sides of the Old Firm and done well against them. I think Hearts, Celtic and Rangers are all in the race for the title but it's a bit early to say what order we will finish in come next May."


Taken from the Scotsman