SKACEL: I DON'T DESERVE WORLD CUP CALL

HEARTS star Rudi Skacel insists he doesn't deserve to play at the World Cup.

Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner yesterday named a 23-man squad for the finals in Germany, including household names such as Milan Baros and Pavel Nedved.

Skacel and Rangers target Libor Sionko are first-choice reserves should any player be forced to pull out. Former Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer, for example, has a knee injury and is struggling to make the finals.

But Skacel, 26, amazingly has insisted he isn't worth a place because he contributed nothing in the qualifying rounds.

He said: "The national team? I can hardly say anything about that because no one called me. There are 23 players in the squad who fought in qualification to get to Germany. I didn't and because of that other players deserve to be there ahead of me."

Skacel has told friends in the Czech Republic even if he is asked to break his holiday to play in Germany it would leave him uneasy.

The £1million-rated Jambos ace, who is believed to have shaken hands on a move to Southampton if they can agree a fee with Hearts, is underwhelmed at the idea of cashing in on someone else's misfortune.

However, Sionko admitted he is ready to drop everything if his country come calling.

He said: "I watched the live press conference to announce the squad.

"Coach Bruckner said on television exactly the same things we had spoken about before. If there are no injuries the squad is clear and ready for Germany.

"I can only wait and if there is any chance to go to the World Cup, I'll take it of course.

"I am ready to accept the invitation from Mr Bruckner immediately and join up with the squad whenever I am needed."

Taken from the Daily Record