Just watch us perform in europe now

HEARTS star Roman Bednar believes the Jambos can better this season's "incredible" campaign by making their mark in the Champions League next term.

The Czech ace was part of the Gorgie outfit's side that lifted the Tennent's Scottish Cup against Gretna at Hampden at the weekend to ensure their place in the club's history books.

The Capital club may have required penalties to finally see off their plucky lower league opponents but that didn't dilute the joy the Hearts players felt in any way when Gavin Skelton blasted his spot-kick against the crossbar to ensure the coveted trophy was Tynecastle bound.

Rudi Skacel had given Hearts the lead shortly before half-time only for Ryan McGuffie to level the tie 15 minutes from time.

The Jambos, however, dug deep and despite late pressure saw out extra time and took the game to spot kicks. And after a weekend of partying with his jubilant team-mates Bednar, who is currently on a one-year loan deal from FBK Kaunas, has already turned his attentions to extending his stay with Hearts and trying to surpass this year's achievements.

"I definitely want to remain at this club for more days like Saturday," said Bednar.

"I see no reason why Hearts can't do what Rangers did in Europe and do well in the competition. I think we have a good team and if we can play to our best then there is every chance that we can do well in the Champions League.

"I'm sure that Mr Romanov will bring in more players over the summer and if we do that then we can make the next step and look for even bigger things for this club. This year has been incredible with what we have achieved, but maybe next season will be even better.

"All the fans are very excited about the Champions League and the players believe that we can do well."

For now, however, Bednar is simply revelling in being an integral part of a team that has brought the Hearts fans their first trophy to celebrate in eight long years.

Valdas Ivanauskas' men may have been well below their best but when all the dust has settled on a dramatic day in Glasgow and their opponents Gretna are rightly lauded for the display they turned in, the fact will remain that the Jambos have won the prestigious competition.

While many pundits had predicted a Hearts rout, Bednar conceded that outcome was never likely to be a realistic one and is doing a disservice to the Second Division opponents who eliminated four higher league teams on their way to the final.

"It was the last game of the season and I think the main thing was that we won.

"Gretna are a good team and they played very well. A draw would probably have been fair but it's a final so that can't happen.

"I thought that for 45 minutes we played very well and for the next 45 minutes they were better but thankfully we managed to win.

"I had a few chances and so did Edgaras Jankauskas so overall we probably deserved to win the game. We would rather not have had to win on penalties but in a final the main thing is that you manage to win and we did that."

And Bednar dedicated his side's win to the 35,000 Hearts fans who descended on Hampden with the Czech striker insisting that the backing they had received inspired them to a famous albeit hard-fought win.

"The supporters were very special on Saturday and after all the cheering they have done for us this season I think they deserve this prize," said Bednar.

"They sang and sang and before the match they celebrated like they had already won the cup and they gave all the players a great reception as we got the bus into the stadium.

"I was so happy for them all because they are the best supporters. It's been a long time since they won something but hopefully this is the first of many times.

"This time it is the cup but maybe next time it will be the league. We can only hope."

Meanwhile, Portuguese midfielder Bruno Aguiar hailed the victory as a "beautiful day" for everyone associated with the club.

The ex-Benfica player was preferred to Frenchman Julien Brellier in the centre of midfield and turned in another assured display as he gradually gets used to the rigours of the Scottish game.

Aguiar has quickly established himself as a fans' favourite and revealed he was stunned by the reaction of the supporters to the side lifting the trophy.

"I'm very, very happy. It was a great day for me but also for all the fans of the club. It's a really beautiful day.

"Gretna are a good team, they wouldn't have got to the final otherwise. They made it very hard for us and we had to fight very, very hard.

"The players always knew it would be difficult and while some people thought it would be an easy game that thought never crossed the minds of the players. Yes it took penalties but that is because Gretna played a very good game. We never at any point thought that it would be an easy game.

"The main thing is that Hearts have won the cup and for me this has made the season extra special. I'm delighted that we have won the cup and now I want to win more trophies."

Taken from the Scotsman