Rudi Skacel keen on return to Hearts after holding talks

• Rudi Skacel

"I've started talks with two or three clubs, and one of them is Hearts," Skacel told The Scotsman yesterday. "We'll see what happens over the next few days, but I'm really excited. The year I spent at Hearts before was something special for the team and for me."

Skacel refused to divulge anything about the content of his negotiations with Hearts so far, other than to admit that he had been to Lithuania to have talks with club owner Vladimir Romanov and director Sergejus Fedotovas. He explained, however, that he believed he would be able to fit back into the team immediately, and, while short of match practice, was still very fit.

"I spoke with Mr Romanov and with Sergejus, and I'm very interested," he said. "I had an amazing time in Scotland and I hope the supporters would welcome me back. Hearts are a friendly club and it would be easy for me to fit back in.

"My last game was for the national team in June. I'm a free agent now - I rejected a contract offer from Larissa on 31 August because over the last few days before then I had contact with those other clubs.

"But I kept training with Larissa while talks were going on and my fitness levels are high. The only thing I need is match sharpness and I think I can get that back quickly."

Skacel was under contract at Southampton for three years from 2006, having initially signed when George Burley - who was Hearts manager when Skacel first joined the Edinburgh club - was in charge at St Mary's. After a loan spell at Hertha Berlin the Czech international joined Slavia Prague before moving at the start of this year to Larissa. He was unable to command a place in the first team there, however, and decided he needed to seek regular football elsewhere in a bid to win back his place in the national team.

"I think a move can help me," he continued. "Hearts were very good for me and I like to think I was good for them too. I scored 16 goals, we had some great games that season, and we ended up getting into the qualifying rounds for the Champions League and also winning the Scottish Cup.

"I'm not scared. I'm confident I can make a deal with a new club, that's why I said no to staying at Larissa.

"It would be easy for me to jump to a new club although the season has already started. I did that last season and it was no problem then.

"I need to start playing again. I want to be part of the Czech squad for the European Championship qualifying matches, and my target is to be in the squad for the game against Scotland next month."

Skacel declined to reveal which other clubs he had been talking with, and would not say which countries they were from.While he has those other options, however, a return to Hearts would be his preferred outcome provided he can agree a deal with the club.