Paul Hartley backs Rudi Skacel to repeat Hampden heroics for Hearts in Final

May 6 2012 By Mark Guidi

PAUL HARTLEY reckons Rudi Skacel will prove the difference between the sides when Hearts and Hibs square up in the Scottish Cup Final.

The former midfield star turned out for both clubs during his playing days but his fondest memories are from his time at Tynecastle.

Along with Skacel, he helped the Jambos win the Cup in 2006 after defeating Gretna on penalties.

But while Hartley is now taking his first steps in management at Alloa, Skacel is enjoying a second stint at Tynecastle and is once again popping up with vital goals in big games.

The 32-year-old Czech Republic ace hit the opener in the 2-1 semi-final win against Celtic last month and Hartley has no doubt Skacel will help Hearts grab Hampden glory on May 19.

Hartley told MailSport: “I’d like to see Hearts winning the Cup and I think they will. But it will be tight – 2-1 or 3-1 at the most.

“The key area for Hearts is in the middle of the park. If Ian Black goes about his business diligently and without bringing attention to himself he can control the play.

“Rudi will play in front of Black and he is a big-game player.

“He has a wonderful left peg and is extremely talented.

“He’s getting among the goals this season and the opposition struggle to keep him quiet.

“He scores plenty from midfield and that is a priceless asset.

“Rudi has a knack of being in the right place at the right time. He only needs one chance. He sniffs out the key areas on the pitch.

“He’ll love the Hampden occasion and will thrive on it.”

Hartley also paid tribute to Hearts boss Paulo Sergio and the players for not quitting the club during the festive period when wages weren’t being paid.

He said: “Some players might have given up and downed tools.

“The manager also behaved with dignity and kept his players focused. It must have been a stressful period.

“Credit to Sergio. I suppose he could easily have walked out and gone back to Portugal. But he kept going and has been rewarded by getting to this Final.”

Hartley knows it’s right for Hearts to be favourites but feels it would be wrong to write Hibs off.

He said: “They haven’t won the trophy in 110 years and that is a frightening statistic.

“The Hearts fans take pleasure in reminding the Hibs supporters about that.

“I was with Hearts when we won the Cup in 2006. It was a great moment, a massive achievement.

“We paraded around Edinburgh with the Cup the next day. We went down Princes Street but we didn’t go anywhere near Leith.

“This has the makings of a cracking Final. The rivalry is massive. It’s intense.

“The clubs’ fans care every bit as much about this derby as the Old Firm support do about theirs.

“The fans in Edinburgh will say the rivalry is bigger.

“So, to meet in a Scottish Cup Final will be brilliant. It will be a memorable occasion.

“Hibs have struggled this year in the league but they can pose a threat and will look to Garry O’Connor and Leigh Griffiths in the Final.

“Both played well in the 2-1 semi-final victory over Aberdeen and their boss Pat Fenlon will look to them to reproduce that.

“To win the Cup would be great for them. They are a massive club and I enjoyedmy time there.

“It’s sad to see the fans staying away in the past year or so.

“A thousand have disappeared from the stands. I hope they can be enticed back.”

Taken from the Daily Record