RUDI SIGNS ON FOR 2M0RE YEARS

HEARTS last night revealed they have tied up controversial Czech Rudi Skacel on a two-year deal.

The Tynecastle club agreed a transfer fee with Marseille believed to be in the region of £500,000.

Skacel - who was at the centre of a spitting row with Celtic skipper Neil Lennon during Sunday's 3-0 win - was signed by axed Jambos boss George Burley on a year-long loan from the French outfit last summer.

And the midfielder has been a revelation, bagging 16 goals and helping to place Hearts on the brink of a Champions League spot. A Tynecastle spokesman said: "Rudi signed an agreement with us before he joined the club which said that he would be a Hearts player for three years if we agreed a transfer fee with Marseille.

"He has been on loan to us this year but the clubs have agreed a fee and Rudi will now automatically become a Hearts player for the next two seasons."

Jambos caretaker manager Valdas Ivanauskas said: "Every manager would be happy to have such a player as Rudi in their ranks."

Ivanauskas - who confirmed Skacel will face Aberdeen in tonight's Tynecastle crunch against Aberdeen - revealed he had spoken with the player in the aftermath of the spitting allegations by Lennon.

Skacel has denied gobbing at the Celtic player but has admitted he did spit to clear blood from his mouth after he was allegedly hit by a flailing elbow from the Celtic player.

Ivanauskas insisted he has been surprised by the ferocious reaction to Skacel's so-called diving, spitting and cheating antics.

The manager said: "I spoke with Rudi and he denies spitting at Neil Lennon.

"In recent months it has been difficult for Rudi because there has been a negative reaction towards him and he has been kind of victimised.

"I am absolutely behind Rudi. Maybe some people see his performances in a negative way but maybe they just misunderstand him. The supporters love him.

"He has done a lot for the team and we are now on a high level. That is partly down to Rudi.

"He is an emotional player and a very important one for Hearts. We are trying to safeguard him from all of these allegations.

"There will be no reaction from Rudi regarding this matter.

"We do not want to react to certain newspaper articles concerning Rudi.

"The club itself has fought for respect this season and we have gained and earned that respect from other teams."

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan admits he wants an end to the row.

He said: "There will be nothing from us, I think it's up to other people to determine how their players behave, or the SFA does that.

"It's our policy not to get involved in anything such as that.

"But I understand Neil is still very angry because he now misses the first game of next season."

Meanwhile, Ivanauskas will watch Hearts' remaining two games against Aberdeen and Rangers from the stands after losing his SFA appeal against a two-match touchline ban which was imposed after he was sent off during last month's 1-0 defeat by Celtic at Parkhead.

Taken from the Daily Record