PAUL'S ONE OF BEST IN EUROPE

PAUL HARTLEY was last night hailed as one of the best midfield players in Europe as Hearts moved to within touching distance of the Champions League.

The Scotland star ran the show for the Jambos as they thumped Celtic 3-0 in the sun at Tynecastle. Hearts are now just three points away from clinching second spot in the SPL and the chance of playing against the cream of Europe next season.

The Jambos will confirm second spot with a win against Aberdeen at Tynecastle on Wednesday night - and it could even be secured 24 hours earlier if Rangers fail to beat Hibs at Easter Road.

Stand-in boss Valdas Ivanauskas praised the performance against the Hoops as the best of the season while owner Vladimir Romanov looked on in delight. Hartley scored his 16th goal of the season and set up the others, a Stephen McManus own goal and a second half Roman Bednar strike.

Ivanauskas said: "If you see how many important goals Paul Hartley has scored for this club then he is the best player in Scotland, no question.

"It is not only my opinion but the opinion of other football specialists. In fact, he is also one of the best midfielders in Europe.

"Even without his goals he is important to this side, just like Steven Pressley. We have a big squad but it's a quality squad as well and players such as Paul are vital to this club.

"The two best teams in Scotland were playing out there today and when that's the case, set-pieces such as corners and free-kicks become even more important.

"Paul has been important for us all season and he proved it again today.

"It was a good result and three points were important but the performance was our best of the season."

Ivanauskas has told his players to reach out and grab their destiny against the Dons in midweek and will look for no favours from arch-rivals Hibs against Rangers.

He added: "We're one step from the Champions League and the players know how important it is to work just as hard again on Wednesday.

"But before the game we were not looking to Rangers or thinking about anything other than ourselves and our own performance.

"It's the same with Hibs - win or lose, it's okay because we're looking only to our own performance."

Ivanauskas admitted his team had learned from Ne'erday when Celtic came from two goals down to win 3-2.

He said: "We knew we needed to play for 90 minutes this time."

Ivanauskas laughed off suggestions Celtic did not give 100 per cent, having already been crowned champions.

A Hoops win, or even a point, would have boosted Rangers but Ivanauskas said:"If you saw the Celtic squad you would see its qualities."

Meanwhile, Hearts officials last night denied claims Rudi Skacel had signed a new three-year deal to stay with the club although it's believed preliminary talks have taken place to persuade the Czech star to make his loan deal permanent.

But they confirmed head physio Ollie Finlay has been suspended indefinitely amid reports of unrest behind the scenes at Riccarton.

The Scottish medical team are unhappy at the influence of the team of Lithuanians who have been brought into the club, including alternative therapists such as Rima and Pyjama Man.

However, Hearts refused to reveal any further details about Finlay's suspension.

Taken from the Daily Record