RUDI Skacel, the Hearts midfielder, last night rounded angrily on the critics who condemned him as a con-man in the build-up to yesterday's semi-final rout of Hibs.

The Czech international found himself the focus of much media attention last week following his behaviour during Hearts' league win at Falkirk which saw him accused of diving and play-acting.

Tony Mowbray, the Hibs manager, was among those who mentioned Skacel's antics as the semi-final showdown approached and the 25-year-old Marseille player, on a season-long loan at Tynecastle, believes he was painted in an unfair light.

"I'm very embarrassed and upset by everything that was said and written about me in the days before this game," said Skacel. "There has been a lot of bullshit said about Hearts and mostly about me. I'm very sad about it and very angry too, because I think it is just not true that I am a diver or a cheat.

"Today, we saw the result was 4-0 and that was the best answer. It is normal in football that people say things to maybe try and get an advantage in a match, but this was something which was total bullshit.

"My family and my friends were phoning me all week, because they saw what was being said and wanted to know what was wrong. It also came from people at a small club like Falkirk and it was not true."

Skacel says the criticism will have no bearing on whether he remains at Tynecastle beyond the end of the season.

"I'm angry about it but it won't make any difference to whether I stay at Hearts or not," he said.

"It's not a problem for me that way. I love being at Hearts, it is the best dressing-room spirit I have ever been part of and I enjoy life in Edinburgh.

"I will sit down and speak with my agent at the end of the season and wait to see what Mr Romanov has to say.

"Right now, all I am thinking about is giving success to the Hearts supporters because they have been so good for me."

Skacel's compatriot Michal Pospisil said he was delighted to have fulfilled his dream of reaching the Scottish Cup final.

"We just have to take the last step now," the Czech told Hearts World, "and make sure we win the cup for the fans.

"I was a bit surprised at how comfortable the win was at the end. I rated both sides and thought it could have been a draw or we might have won by one goal."

Greek defender Takis Fyssas was surprisingly left out of the starting side, to make way for Jose Goncalves at left back.

And when Fyssas came on as a second half substitute, he had to switch from his usual position to centre half.

"That wasn't a problem for me as I have played there for Greece before," said Fyssas.

"I needed to play for the team, and it's good we have many solutions when things go against us. I can play everywhere!"

Fyssas added: "We can celebrate today, but tomorrow we have to start thinking about the Celtic game [on Wednesday] as that is a very big one for us."

Taken from the Scotsman