John McGlynn must wait for Rudi Skacel news

HEARTS manager John McGlynn insists he will play the waiting game over any plans to try and sign Rudi Skacel for a third time after the Tynecastle legend returned to the club on a casual basis.

The attacking midfielder is back at their Riccarton base after accepting an offer to use the training facilities to keep himself fit during a trip back to Edinburgh.

Yesterday, Hearts posted a video on their website entitle ‘Rudi’s Riccarton Rocket’ which showed the forward firing home a trademark left-foot strike in training.

Skacel remains without a team having bowed out of Gorgie after scoring two goals – to take his season’s tally to 18 – in May’s 5-1 Scottish Cup final thrashing of Hibs.

Rumours were rife that the Czech cap was about to re-sign at the end of last month but the player tweeted: “Thank you for all the messages from Hearts fans. You are the best but unfortunately I may not have good news for you.”

McGlynn, by his own admission, has been mostly left in the dark over attempts to bring the 33-year-old, who departed Hearts for the first time after the 2006 Scottish Cup triumph, back to the club, with Skacel having dealt directly with owner Vladimir Romanov in the past.

Asked if it was a case of waiting to see what the club’s long-term plans for Skacel were, McGlynn, who has said he would happily welcome back the player with Hearts missing a ruthless streak in attack this season, said: “That’s about the size of it as far as I can see. It’s between Rudi and the football club and whoever else.

“Rudi has said he is a tourist. He says he is across here taking up the good weather, the scenery and everything like that. Heart of Midlothian Football Club have offered him training facilities.

“He will bring a wee spark to the training. He is a great character and a great ambassador for the football club.

“He’s always got a good nature about him. He will add a wee bit more to the training, that’s for sure. It will be nice to have him in there.

“He has got a bit of banter as well which will come across well with the boys. It’s good to have him in that situation.”

McGlynn, meanwhile, has reported a double injury boost after goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald and striker Callum Paterson were forced off with knocks during Sunday’s narrow 1-0 loss at Celtic.

MacDonald had to leave the pitch on a striker after suffering concussion in a collision with Celtic’s Charlie Mulgrew early in the first half, while Paterson sustained an ankle injury that subsequently forced him to withdraw from the Scotland Under-19 squad this week. But McGlynn expects the pair to be available for October 21 visit of Motherwell.

The manager added: “Jamie’s obviously a bit sore still which is to be expected. He got a fair dunt.

“He will be fine for the Motherwell game.

“Callum’s having to give the 19s a miss this time but he has plenty time to go and do well for his country.

“We don’t see it being problem for the Motherwell game. He is heeling very quickly.

“He has not been training but it is a lot better and there are no indications he will struggle for the Motherwell game.”