I'll HAVE TO WIN LEAGUE AND CUP DOUBLE TO GET A WORLD CUP SPOT

RUDI SKACEL reckons he might have to win an SPL and Scottish Cup double with Hearts to ke the World Cup finals.

Czech national boss Karel Bruckner has snubbed the Jambos midfielder and left him out of his last two squads.

The coach hasn't even bothered sending a member of his coaching staff to watch Skacel this season, despite a stunning run of form that has seen him net a career-best 14 goals.

Skacel, 26, played twice for the national side earlier in the season but admits he faces a struggle to convince Bruckner he is good enough to turn out in Germany.

But he reckons a silverware haul may remind him of his worth to his country and he would love nothing better than to lift the Scottish Cup.

Hearts must see off SPL rivals Kilmarnock at Tynecastle in the third round this afternoon and the on-loan Marseille star said: "It has been very difficult for me because in the last two games I have not been involved with our national squad and I don't know why.

"I'm very sad about it because Hearts are playing very well and so am I. I've scored some goals and we're up at the top of the league.

"I hope we take the title and the Scottish Cup as it might give me a greater opportunity of going to the World Cup. If we're playing well and I'm scoring goals everyone will say I'm a big help to Hearts and then I might have a better chance of making the finals.

"This is an important season and maybe at the end the manager will tell me he wants me for the World Cup."

Skacel refuses to put the boot in to veteran Bruckner, who is blessed with a squad of some of the most talented players in world football.

Bruckner took over the Czech job after their failure to qualify for the 2002 World Cup and led them to the semi-finals of Euro 2004, before they were beaten by eventual winners Greece.

Skacel diplomatically refused to say if he believes playing in Scotland has hampered his chances of performing on the greatest stage on earth, but Bruckner's failure to have him scouted is nothing new.

The Jambo said: "I don't know if playing in Scotland is a factor in his decision, you would have to ask the manager.

"No one has come to see me in Scottish football but no one came to watch me in Marseille either. I hope they take achance and come and watch me later in the season. But remember, we've got a very good national team with many, many perfect players.

"The Czech team is very good and it's difficult to play there but it's not a problem for me, I'll wait. It's more important I play well to help Hearts and then we'll see. I hope I get a chance after that."

Skacel confirmed he will be at Hearts until the end of the season but is reluctant to be drawn on his long-term future.

Jambos owner Vladimir Romanov is keen to tie him to the club and is currently in talks with his advisers but Skacel gives the impression it will be the club's ability to deliver even more quality players, as well as silverware, that will be key.

For sure, he admits he has never been happier in his career, on or off the park.

He added: "This season for me has been fantastic. In the past I've played well but never scored as often as I have with Hearts.

"It has been amazing to be top of the league and it's important I enjoy my time here because we have a good atmosphere in the team and dressing room.

"But I'm finished answering questions about my future. At the start of the season all anyone wanted to speak about was my goal record and for the last two months all anyone wants to discuss is my future.

"I'm happy in Edinburgh. It's a fantastic place and we have a terrific support, the best I've ever had in my whole career. I may have played for bigger clubs before but Scottish fans are the best and the Jambos are great.

"We also have the best dressing room I've ever been part of in my life. The last four months have been the best of my career. Yes, there have been some problems recently with a couple of results but that's life."

Skacel shrugged off last Sunday's heart-breaking 3-2 defeat to Celtic and called on the players to prove their character by bouncing back against Killie in the Cup.

He said: "The Celtic game has gone. Yes, I was disappointed with the result but I have no problems with the referee. I make mistakes and so can he, this is life. I respect referees and hope they respect me in return.

"Of course I prefer winning to losing and we know how important the Scottish Cup is to this club-and it's a nice trophy, isn't it? I know about the Hearts team who won the Cup before. History is important but this season is even more important and we want to win every game we play in the SPL and Scottish Cup."

Hearts boss Graham Rix passed press conference duties yesterday to assistant John McGlynn, who admitted the club's move for Liverpool midfielder Darren Potter still has a way to go.

It was believed Hearts had struck a £750,000 deal with the Premiership club and as Record Sport revealed they are also chasing strikers Neil Mellor and Anthony Le Tallec, as well as academy midfielder Francis Smith.

McGlynn said: "There is still a bit of work to be done on the Potter deal. It isn't signed, sealed or delivered.

"I'd like to tell you we're signing A, B and C on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday but it's not as easy as that.

"We target players and sometimes it's difficult to keep it quiet. Instead of one or two clubs in the chase it then becomes a lottery of four or five. We're targeting players and positions but have nothing positive to say on signings as yet."

Taken from the Daily Record