Skacel: My heart's set on dream scenario

RUDI SKACEL experienced the ultimate high when he starred in the Champions League with Panathinaikos.

It is something the Czech ace will never forget - and now he is determined to help his Hearts team-mates savour the same next season.

The Gorgie outfit are within touching distance of a place in the cash-rich competition as they currently sit second in the SPL table and, if they can maintain their eight-point lead over Rangers until the end of the season, will win a place in the Champions League qualifiers.

Skacel is keen to make this a season to remember and said: "I want to help Hearts get into the Champions League and there is maybe also still a chance of the title and for the Scottish Cup

"It might be a small chance of the title, but it is still a chance so we will see what happens.

"I think it would be fantastic for Hearts if we can take second place.

"It has been a great season so far for the club but we have a chance to make it an amazing season for all Jambos.

"The Champions League is amazing. I played in it a couple of seasons ago with Panathinaikos and it was a great experience for me. We are professional players and we all have the same dream and that is to play in the Champions League."

And Skacel has another reason to bring top-flight European football to Tynecastle - the club's growing band of supporters.

He has been blown away by the fans' reaction to him since his arrival on loan from Marseille in the summer and sees the glamour games as the perfect way to thank them for their backing.

He continued: "It would be fantastic if Hearts could get there as a thank-you to our supporters. They have been amazing this season."

Maybe Skacel's assertion that Hearts are still in with a chance of challenging leaders Celtic to the SPL crown will raise a few eyebrows on the west coast.

The Parkhead side currently enjoy a 13-point lead over Graham Rix's side but 26-year-old midfielder Skacel believes that he and his team-mates have the right spirit and backing from their supporters to take them all the way.

He added: "We have a fantastic dressing-room, a fantastic team and fantastic supporters so why not? It is a perfect combination."

The next step in the Tynecastle side's quest to secure second spot in the SPL comes with Saturday's match against Inverness Caley Thistle. Skacel, however, may not be around to help his team-mates bag more vital points on the trip north as he has been suffering with an ankle injury.

Boss Rix is giving him every chance to face Charlie Christie's side, though, and the player himself is keeping his fingers crossed that he will be fit for what could be a tricky match.

He said: "I don't know, I hope that I have a chance for Saturday's game. I feel better today, just like I did yesterday and hopefully tomorrow will be even better. We will see what happens."

There is one match, however, that Skacel is determined to be involved in - next month's Scottish Cup semi-final against city rivals Hibs.

And he insists the players are happy for the match to be staged at Hampden after the SFA decided against Murrayfield as the venue.

He added: "I think for the players it is not a problem where you play because it is a very important game. Whether it is played in Edinburgh or Glasgow is not a problem for us. Maybe it is for the supporters, though.

"For them it would probably be better to play it in Edinburgh because 50,000 supporters now have to travel to Glasgow.

"I have not played at Hampden or Murrayfield but I think that they are similar stadiums.

"And if Hampden is full and we win then it will not be a problem."

Taken from the Scotsman