HEARTS have reacted to criticism of the on-field behaviour of Rudi Skacel by reminding the Czech midfielder of the need to exercise better self-control.

Ahead of tomorrow's nerve-testing Tennent's Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs at Hampden Park, the Tynecastle head coach, Valdas Ivanauskas, revealed that he had been moved to have a talk with Skacel in the wake of last week's match at Falkirk.

Skacel was widely criticised for "diving" and for inflammatory behaviour towards opponents and home supporters during a match which Hearts won 2-1. His performance has been a talking point ever since, with the Scottish Football Association chief executive, David Taylor, bringing a note of alarm and concern over the issue of cheating by players.

Apparently aware of the potential for trouble should Skacel step out of line against Hibs, Ivanauskas has taken steps to circumvent the possibility. He also expressed a certain sympathy for the many foreign players now at Hearts, insisting that they will require time to adjust to playing in Scotland.

"We have had a good chat with Rudi," said the coach, "and he knows it was not his best game at Falkirk. He is a big player for us and he is aware he did not do well for us. But we have many foreign players from many different countries here and they have to adjust to how the game is played in Scotland.

"It's to do with how they approach it in their own countries. In football terms, it's good to have the kind of mix we have, with a lot of quality. But there are difficulties concerning the different cultures they are used to.

"Rudi understands the situation after our chat. He is an emotional player and that's part of what makes him so valuable. But he knows he has made a mistake."

With Skacel's contract at Hearts due to expire at the end of the season, it was suggested to Ivanauskas that the severity of the criticism of his misbehaviour could affect his desire to remain with the club.

"Rudi knows he can stay here because he is a valuable player for us," said Ivanauskas. "But, at the moment, he's not thinking that far ahead. He wants to win the Scottish Cup and he wants to get a place in the Champions League next season, as everybody here does.

"We have told him we need him and there are many important matches coming up. Every game is hard for him as it is for everyone, but he is an experienced player and he can cope.

"As for a new contract or what it may involve, that would be a question for the player and Mr Romanov."

Skacel joined Hearts last summer on a season-long loan deal from Marseille. His early season form - he scored a goal in each of Hearts' opening seven league fixtures - earned him a recall to the Czech Republic side.

Taken from the Scotsman