Skacel vows to help Hearts turn Tynecastle into a fortress

The 31-year-old won the Scottish Cup with the Jambos in 2006 and he is hoping he can once again get the supp orters right behind him and the rest of the team.

Skacel says he will play anywhere manager Jim Jefferies asks him and believes that the fans can be the key to turning their home ground into a nightmare venue for visiting teams.

He said: "Tynecastle is amazing and hopefully there will be a full stadium again and the fans can stay behind us and help us to win, make Tynecastle a place where no-one can take points from. This is important for this family club and this is a big advantage for Hearts.

"During my career, I have played left-back, left-midfield and in the middle of the pitch so I don't care, I want to be part of the team, I want to help the team and I want to be a leader. I will do any job that the manager asks.

"Hopefully, I can help the team to prepare goals and score some goals, that is why I am here. I feel a little bit more experienced, I feel confident that I can play good football here.

"I am a team player and hopefully the boys will help me and that we can fly up the table, and look to the UEFA Cup.

"I have the confidence to play good football and I am looking forward."
Skacel, though, is unlikely to be involved in tomorrow's game against Inverness as he continues to build his fitness and is instead targeting a return to the Hearts side in time for the home game against Motherwell next weekend. And he urged the Jambos fans who held him in such high regard during his last spell at the club to give him time to establish himself in the side once again.

Skacel, who left Hearts to be reunited with George Burley at Southampton in 2006 before having spells at Hertha Berlin, Slavia Prague and most recently Larissa, said: "I hope the fans give me time and help me and that we can build on what we have and be successful.

"I hope that I can help this team. I feel very well because I didn't have a long holiday at the end of the season.

"I was in America with the national team for a tournament and then the season started very early for me on 1st July so I feel well and I hope that with my experience, my fitness level is very good. I hope I will be prepared for next week.

"Motherwell is the target for me. I need a few days with the boys first, so we will see, but I believe I will be ready."

Taken from the Scotsman