SKACEL: WE'RE BACK ON TRACK

Hearts star Rudi Skacel refuses to believe their dream of winning the Bank of Scotland Premier League is over.

The Tynecastle club spent the early part of the season perched at the summit of the SPL table but now find themselves seven points adrift of Celtic.

Results faltered following the arrival of new head coach Graham Rix but those teething problems appear to have vanished following a convincing 4-1 victory over Dunfermline at the weekend.

And Skacel - who completed the rout at East End Park - is convinced Hearts are not out of the title race just yet.

"There are many games to go, and we have many good chances to catch them up," said the Czech international. "We'll just have to see.

"I am very happy because we have now won two games in a row. I wanted to take the three points, and I feel good and I think everyone felt good.

"We are in good shape, and we are looking confident."

Hearts have lost to both halves of the Old Firm in the last month but he insists the win over Dunfermline has steered them back on track.

He added: "The last couple of games have been very difficult, but I hope this is the start of us winning away from home regularly."

Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov promised cash to strengthen the squad this month and Rix is hopeful of completing the signing of Neil McCann early this week.

McCann - who was released by Southampton last week - looks set for a return to Tynecastle despite interest from other Barclays Premiership clubs.

Skacel, on loan from Marseilles, believes extra competition can only be good for the club.

He told the club's official website, www.heartsfc.co.uk: "This is the open window, and you must ask the gaffer or Mr Romanov, about new players.

"We have a fantastic dressing room, so I hope we can bring in new players who can do well for us."

Taken from sportinglife.com