No pressure on Skacel to sign new Hearts deal

RUDI SKACEL, whose Hearts contract expires in June, is in no rush to discuss an extension to his current deal as he is already blissfully happy with his second spell in Edinburgh.

The player's agent, Jochen Kientz, explained to the Evening News today that he will not broach the subject of a new deal for Skacel despite him only being contracted until the end of the current season.

Kientz stressed Hearts and Skacel are comfortable with the arrangement as both parties know and trust one another. In the fullness of time, he expects the Czech midfielder to extend his stay at Tynecastle.

"Rudi is playing for Hearts with his heart. He really loves being there and he is very happy there," said Kientz.

"You can see on the pitch he is playing fantastically well and scoring goals. He is very professional. He could play in other teams easily, he could play in bigger teams, but he is very happy with Hearts.

"In football it is today one thing and tomorrow another thing so we will see what's going on. There is plenty time. I am not planning anything, it comes like it has to come. Let him play a little bit more because Hearts know what kind of player they have, what kind of character Rudi is. They can sit tight and think what they can do with the player."

Skacel rejoined Hearts on freedom of contract in September and has been a revelation with seven goals in 13 appearances to date. He initially established himself as a Tynecastle icon during his first spell with the club in season 2005/06, when he scored 17 times as Hearts won the Scottish Cup and finished second in the SPL to reach the Champions League qualifying rounds.