DUO CAN'T WAIT TO CZECH IN FOR DUTY

CZECH duo Martin Petras and Ludek Straceny will join up with their new team-mates at Hearts this morning.

Midfielder Petras and striker Straceny flew into Edinburgh last night after agreeing deals in Lithuania just two minutes before the end of Tuesday night's transfer deadline.

Petras,26, has joined from Sparta Prague, where he was out of favour with new boss Stanislav Greiga.

Former Czech wonderkid Straceny,28, has escaped from a corruption scandal at Viktoria Zizkov where boss Ivan Hornik has been under investigation for allegedly bribing officials.

The players have joined on loan from FBK Kaunas, it is believed, until the end of the season in the first instance.

Petras, a defensive midfielder who can also play in the heart of the back four, was part of the Slovakian squad that made the World Cup playoffs before losing to Spain.

He was skipper of Sparta for a spell earlier this season and can't wait to join the Czech contingent at Tynecastle - Rudi Skacel, Roman Bednar and ex-team-mate Michal Pospisil.

Petras said: "I've been to Lithuania for my medical and I'm looking forward to going to Scotland. I'm very lucky to be joining Hearts and can't wait to get going in the Scottish game."

Straceny, who started his career with Sparta, has already put one over on Rangers in his career - now he has the chance to complete an Old Firm double by helping Hearts to the title.

He scored in the 2-0 first leg win for Zizkov against Rangers in a 2002 UEFA Cup tie, which the Ibrox club eventually lost on away goals.

Meanwhile, Robbie Neilson has signed a new three-year contract and Saulius Mikoliunas' loan deal has been extended to the end of the season.

Taken from the Daily Record