Rudi can't fail in the eyes of the Tynecastle faithful

RUDI SKACEL has taken the SPL by storm this season and it's no surprise to see the Czech internationalist topping the fans' ratings at the campaign's half-way stage.

When the midfielder arrived from Marseille on loan at the start of the season it was clear he had an impressive pedigree having established himself as a regular at Greek giants Panathaniokos during a similar loan-spell.

But nobody could have predicted the impact he would have during his time at Tynecastle and his 14 league goals so far this term from the left-side of midfield see him behind only Rangers new boy Kris Boyd, who hit 15 goals in Kilmarnock colours before his switch to Ibrox, in the goal charts.

Goals in each of his first seven SPL games quickly had people questioning whether he could go on and set a new record for scoring in the most consecutive matches and, although that ultimately proved to be a step too far, he has quickly found a place in the hearts of Tynecastle fans.

An opening-day strike in a thrilling 4-2 victory against Kilmarnock set the tone for what is turning out to be a remarkable season for both Hearts and Skacel and he quickly proved that goal wouldn't be a rarity as he also got on the scoresheet against Hibs, Dundee United, Aberdeen and Motherwell before August was even out.

When the SPL record then eluded him as he failed to hit the back of the net during a 1-0 win over Rangers last September, the critics began to suggest his scoring exploits would be restricted to teams outwith the Old Firm.

That notion though was dispelled when the Jam Tarts passed their biggest test of the season as they emerged from Celtic Park with a well-deserved 1-1 draw, Skacel netting the equaliser.

Not surprisingly, the form he has shown, which has already made him a genuine contender for both Players' Player of the Year and the Football Writers' Player of the Year, has attracted the interest of a host of clubs across Europe.

Werder Bremen are perhaps the biggest name to be linked with the tricky Czech but the Jambos have first option on Skacel when his deal in the Capital runs out at the end of May.

And, if the reported agreed fee of £650,000 is correct, he would surely prove to be one of the steals of recent times.

While Skacel leads the supporters' ratings he was run close by team-mate and Hearts captain Steven Pressley, pictured.

The inspirational figure has been key to the Gorgie club developing the SPL's most miserly defence and his importance to the Jambos was epitomised by a clash away to Falkirk last October when he netted both goals in a 2-2 draw as his side fought back from two goals down with only ten men.

Fellow Scotland internationalists Paul Hartley and Andy Webster also found places at the top end of the fans' rankings and their displays in a maroon jersey have helped them establish themselves as regulars in Walter Smith's resurgent Scotland side.

Player averages

Rudi Skacel: 7.75 from 20 games
Steven Pressley: 7.50 (20 games)
Paul Hartley: 7.40 (20 games)
Andy Webster: 7.35 (20 games)
Roman Bednar: 7.27 (11 games)
Craig Gordon: 7.26 (19 games)
Robbie Neilson: 7.26 (19 games)
Julien Brellier: 7.22 (18 games)
Takis Fyssas: 7.13 (16 games)
Edgaras Jankauskas: 6.75 (16 games)
Jamie McAllister: 6.58 (12 games)
Saulius Mikoliunas: 6.55 (11 games)
Calum Elliot: 6.25 (12 games)
Stephen Simmons: 5.90 (10 games)
David Cesnauskis: 5.40 (10 games)

Taken from the Scotsman