Hearts begin building for Champions League adventure

GLASGOW May 14 (Reuters) - Hearts paraded the Scottish FA Cup through Edinburgh on an open-top bus on Sunday and immediately began preparing for next season's Champions League campaign.

Caretaker manager Valdas Ivanauskas told earlier how the club needed "two or three new faces" for Europe while Rudi Skacel revealed he is likely to leave the club in the wake of their penalty shoot-out win over third division Gretna on Saturday after the teams were level at 1-1 after extra time.

The Czech Republic midfielder joined Hearts on loan from French side Olympique Marseille at the start of the season but after scoring the opener against Gretna he hauled off his top to reveal a club t-shirt with his own words: "I will never forget. Thanks Jambos."

Skacel, 26, told Sunday newspapers: "I must take time and take some decisions but I probably won't stay at Hearts, although I want to stay in the UK.

"I am very sad because it has been a fantastic year for me at this team and I enjoy the dressing room and the fantastic support, but some things have changed.

"I signed for a Scottish team, I signed for George Burley, but some things have happened in the last four months and I am not happy."

Lithuanian caretaker manager Ivanauskas said: "I think this has been the best season for Hearts Football Club. We have had a very, very long and difficult season. It has been a great season and we are in the Champions League."

He added that Hearts have a quality squad but need to add new faces for that higher level.
Asked if he would be the man to find them he replied, "Yes, if I stay."

Ivanauskas revealed he is heading on holiday on Monday but has still to sort out his future with Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov.

Meanwhile, Gretna manager Rowan Alexander savoured the occasion and said: "It has been a fantastic experience to be involved with.

"People questioned our supporters with us being new to the league about not knowing how to sing or chant at home games or away.

"Well, 12,000 turned up and gave us that support...it's incredible, just incredible. It's very much appreciated."