WE CAN GO ONE BEDNAR

ROMAN BEDNAR believes Hearts can go one better than last season by winning the SPL title next time round.

The Tynecastle side finished runners-up to Celtic but the Czech striker insists he can now help the Jambos land the championship for the first time since 1960.

Bednar said: "I think Hearts can win the league this season. Why not? It is only football.

"We have a good team and a good squad and we will go out and buy some new players so we can only get stronger.

"It was difficult for us last season with everything that was going on off the park but we stayed together and proved we could be successful.

"This team has already proved how good it is by clinching second place and winning the Scottish Cup. Even if we were to go into the season with the same squad we could still progress on to bigger and better things.

"I feel the owner, Mr Romanov, will strengthen the team and bring in new players.That can only make us a better side - one that is capable of challenging Celtic and Rangers for the championship."

The 23-year-old says if Hearts can reach the lucrative group stages of the Champions League it would be a dream come true.

Bednar said: "Winning the Scottish Cup was a fantastic feeling and qualification for the group stages would feel like winning it again. It was always my dream to play in the Champions League and that is why I gave everything to finish in first or second place to make that possible."

Bednar was speaking as he handed over his Scottish Cup Final winning shirt to pupils of Preston Street Primary School.

The No. 12 shirt he wore in the defeat of Gretna is being auctioned off tomorrow to raise funds for the school which will hopefully help establish a new girls' football team.

Bednar said: "Even though I was injured for a lot of the time last season was still my best in football.

"I won the first winner's medal of my career in the Scottish Cup with Hearts and that means the world to me. Hopefully if I am not injured I can have an even better season."

Bednar insisted he is ready to commit his future to Hearts when he revealed he has already spoken to club owner Vladimir Romanov about extending his loan deal from FBK Kaunas.

The former Czech Republic Under-21 international said: "Of course I will be here and playing f or Hearts next season.

"I have spoken to Mr Romanov about extending my loan deal from Kaunas. I have not signed anything yet but I expect that to happen soon.

"I hope all the players stay at Hearts, especially my striking partner Edgaras Jankauskas as we were beginning to play well together ."

Taken from the Daily Record