Rudi Skacel: Deal or no deal

RUDI SKACEL hopes to learn whether he has a future with Hearts next week following a proposed meeting between manager Jim Jefferies and majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov in Lithuania.

The Edinburgh club have yet to confirm whether they will be invoking their option to sign Skacel for next season.

The Czech midfielder returned to Tynecastle last September on a one-year contract with an additional one-year option. Hearts have the power to decide whether that clause is utilised, and so far the player is unclear about where he will play next year.

The outcome of discussions between Jefferies and banker Romanov over the coming days could bring a clearer indication of where Skacel's future lies.

The player's agent, Jochen Kientz, told the Evening News: "Everything is possible.

"It is possible he will stay but it is also possible that he goes away. The club has the option "They are speaking directly to Rudi but they don't need to have a lot of conversations with him.

"They have the option and it's up to them if they want to use it. The situation is in their hands.

"If they do not take him, he will go somewhere else.

"He has had a good season this year and he is not finished with football. He will play at a high level because he has interest from several countries."