I COULD HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR TITLE WITH CELTS

RUDI SKACEL revealed he almost signed for Celtic because he didn't believe Hearts were a big enough club.

The Czech player hopes to lead the Jambos into the Scottish Cup Final on Sunday with a derby win over Hibs at Hampden. But if George Burley had not been so persistent Skacel could have been on the brink of a title triumph next week in the green and white hoops - coincidentally, when Hearts visit Parkhead.

As it is, Skacel, 26, will be going all out to postpone Gordon Strachan's title party, three days after he hopes Hearts take a step closer to their first silverware of the Vladimir Romanov era.

The on-loan Marseille star freely admits he was ready to reject overtures from Tynecastle in the summer because he feared the Jambos were not a big enough name in European football. But Skacel is happy he was talked around in time.

His reputation may have taken a dive in recent weeks with opposition players and fans, and even his own team-mates, telling him it's time to cut out the on-field theatrics.

But the Gorgie talisman, who has scored 16 goals already this season, is still a player to respect - and he revealed there are no obstacles to him signing for good in the summer because he has no future at Marseille.

Skacel revealed all in a wide-ranging interview with the latest edition of Czech monthly sports magazine Hat-trick.

He says the only thing he fears in life is terrorism and his toughest opponents in Scotland aren't necessarily SPL rivals but Edinburgh's notorious car parking enforcers.

Skacel arrived last summer following an unhappy season-long spell at Panathinaikos, where he was shipped just 12 months after joining Marseille from Slavia.

He said: "When I went to Marseille everything was good at the start. I played regularly but then the coach who took me to France from Slavia, Alain Perrin, was sacked. Alain believed in me but the coach who replaced him, Jose Anigo, did not.

"I went to Panathinaikos on loan but it was a similar story to Marseille. I started well but then they stopped counting on me because the option they had to sign me for good was too expensive and, as a result, I spent the last two months of the season on the bench.

"I didn't want to return to Marseille then and I don't want to now because Anigo, who didn't have faith in me, is still at the club, working as sporting director.

"I had some offers in the summer to return home to Sparta and Slavia and Celtic were interested in me too, which was a possibility as I wanted to play in the Champions League.

"Then Hearts contacted me but I thought it was too small a club.

"However, George Burley and his assistant Simon Hunt called me and my agent five times a day and I saw they really wanted me for their plans.

"I began to pick up some information about the club and saw they wanted to attack the position Celtic and Rangers have traditionally held in the Scottish game.

"I agreed to go and within a month George proved the club's ambitions were possible by creating a very strong team. The beginning of this season was the best time in my career."

Skacel underlined his class in the opening weeks of the campaign with seven goals from his first seven SPL matches.

His goals rate has stalled in recent weeks and Hibs fans will be hoping it's not an omen. The last time he scored for the Jambos, two months ago, was in the 4-1 derby drubbing at Tynecastle.

He admits he is satisfied on and off the field in Scotland, especially with the good manners of Scottish football fans. However, he confessed the zealous approach of the capital's parking wardens is a bug bear.

He added: "Some people say the fans in Scotland are the best in the world and I must agree.

"They create a great atmosphere in every game played and also, especially in comparison to Greece, they are very considerate.

"For example, if I'm sitting in a restaurant and they want an autograph they always wait until I finish what I'm eating. Sometimes they will even ask the waitress if it's okay to approach the table."

Skacel is happy to throw away money on his good health but not parking fines.

He added: "I've probably spent most money recently on a new watch, golf clubs and also my telephone bill, but I'm happy to lose money on my health insurance.

"I've never had a serious illness in my career and hope this lasts. If the money that is spent on insurance ends up being 'thrown away' I will be glad.

"But I'm still getting used to the fines system for driving in Scotland. In the Czech Republic the most I was every fined was about £25 but here they are much more severe.

"They take a photograph of you in the car and demand you pay and they are also very strict with parking.

"If you return to your car even five minutes late they'll give you a fine - it always pays to put a pound extra in the machine."

Skacel admits hypocrisy, lies and envy are the sins he cannot stand, as well as bad refereeing.

But asked what he fears most he said: "I'm afraid of terrorism as it is so difficult to defend against. Otherwise I'm not afraid of anything."

Single guy Skacel has already left many female Jambos fans weak at the knees this season and if he can cook up a win against the Hibees as expertly as he can rustle up a dish in the kitchen he'll achieve demi-God status with the support.

With a smile he said: "I can cook four dishes - Chinese food, potato puree, escalopes and you'd better write chicken too, so the girls know what they can expect from me."

Hearts have first option on Skacel's signature in the summer for a fee for around £1million but he admits after the season ends he is heading for Africa.

He added: "I would like to visit Madagascar and I hope my dream will come true soon.

"My friend from France has a house there and has invited me over and I would like to go there at the end of the season, when I have more free time.

"I have other similar places I would like to visit but it's always more difficult when you are a footballer because we don't get as much free time."

'Hearts contacted me in the summer but I thought they were too small a club'

Taken from the Daily Record