DAD'S READY TO KEEP HOT BED IN CZECH

ROMAN BEDNAR insists he won't be allowed to let a first ever Czech Republic call-up go to his head.

The Hearts striker has been named in Karel Bruckner's preliminary squad for the friendly against Serbia on August 16 after an impressive start to the season.

Bednar has already scored four times, including the double that toppled Celtic at Tynecastle on Sunday.

However, the 23-year-old, who admits he also wants to play in the Premiership at some stage, will never get big-headed because his dad's always there to keep his feet on the ground.

Veteran national boss Bruckner is ready to re-build his team following their poor performance at theWorld Cup and the Hearts ace has caught his eye.

Bednar said: "I'm not 100 per cent sure yet if Bruckner will name me in his full squad for the game against Serbia when it is announced on Thursday.

"However, I know I have a good chance. I am in the preliminary squad because details have already been sent to the club and my agent Pavel Zika also told me about it.

"It doesn't mean anything at this stage but I believe and I hope that later this week my dream will come true.

"When I was little boy I wanted to play for the national team one day and the move from Mlada Boleslav to Hearts last season was a step towards that.

"I knew if I worked hard and had the right attitude my dream could come true but I also know there are many good strikers in the Czech Republic.

"The best for me are Milan Baros and Jan Koller. Words are not enough to describe just how much they have both done for the national team in recent years.

"They have raised the bar for the other strikers who hope to follow but I feel good and I hope to improve even further and show I'm capable of replacing them.

"My next dream after this is to play in the English Premiership and I think it can also come true. I hope my teammates help me achieve this goal."

Bednar called home on Sunday evening with news of his heroics hours earlier as the Jambos saw off last season's champions.

But he added: "My father knows how to keep me rooted in reality and he is my biggest critic. He often compliments me but he also makes sure I keep my feet on the ground. I told him I scored three times against Celtic, if you include that offside goal.

"However, he knew we had only won 2-1, so he thought I'd scored an own goal as well.

"I've been lauded to the skies for my performance against Celtic and my team-mates have also been full of compliments.

"I believe in myself but it's important to remember I have only played two league games, although if I continue to work hard I should keep my place in the line-up.

"I've got a bet on with some pals that I'll score 20 goals this season in all competitions but already they are trying to persuade me they meant league goals alone."

Bednar, who again insisted Hearts can go all the way in the title race, admits he hasn't been fazed by the comings and going at Tynecastle because he has enjoyed working with every coach employed by Vladimir Romanov.

He added: "I get on very well with Valdas Ivanauskas but I've never had a problem with any of our coaches.

"Every one of them treated me like a talented player and they have all tried to help me. Anyway, I'm not a problem player. I' m a friendly guy, who enjoys a laugh and joke in the dressing room."

Bednar also revealed he is relying on inside information from team-mate Takis Fyssas to shoot down AEK Athens at Murrayfield tomorrow.

He added: "Takis has promised me some fantastic information about the AEK defenders.

"We can go through because we can beat anyone at home as we have such great fans.

"When they support us it feels like you're in heaven. The atmosphere is so special you feel you cannot lose.

"If we qualify for the group stage of the Champions League it will be another dream fulfiled.

"Every time I heard the Champions League theme tune when I was a kid it used to send goose bumps up and down my skin."

Taken from the Daily Record