Rudi Skacel looking forward to renewing derby hostilities

RUDI SKACEL admitted today that he can't wait to run out of the tunnel in an Edinburgh derby again - because he had so much success against Hibs the last time.

The midfielder quit Tynecastle four years ago, playing his final match in maroon when he lifted the Scottish Cup in the showpiece final against Gretna in 2006. Skacel played in five derbies during that spell, including two emphatic victories over their bitter rivals in which the Jambos scored four goals without reply, and a 4-1 victory at home.

Skacel scored twice in those games and is looking forward to the opportunity to add to his goals tally against Hibs in the coming months.

He said: "I am definitely looking forward to playing in a derby again, especially because we had a lot of success in those games when I was here before.

"For every player it is something special when you have that kind of atmosphere, not only to play in, but also in the city before and after the game.

"Football is amazing, if you play in big cities, all of the interest is in the derby games. I have played in a lot of big derbies in my career - Sparta Prague against Slavia Prague, Panathinaikos against Olympiakos. "They are special games for the players as well as for the cities.

"I am back here now and I want to pay something back to this club and these supporters and I am glad that I am here.

"When I left it was very emotional for me, especially because we won the Scottish Cup in my final game.

"The celebrations that day were the best in my career. I have won a few things but never has a celebration been like that before. It felt like we had won the World Cup and Champions League together.

"You never know, we have a good young squad here and everyone has grown up since I was last here. It can happen again."

Skacel hammered out the majority of the deal with club owner Vladimir Romanov before flying into Edinburgh to meet with manager Jim Jefferies on Thursday to put pen to paper on his deal.

But he refused to be drawn by suggestions that Jefferies had been left in the dark about his new arrival, insisting that all he is interested in is winning a regular place in the Hearts side.

"What was said between me and Mr Romanov is between us. We spoke about the past and about the future. It's life and there is no problem between us.

"I hope that he will be behind me, I will be behind him and I hope that we can build up our relationship again and be a success again.

"I spoke to the manager on Thursday and I will speak with him again next week after the game.

"I know I have to prove I am good enough to play and I said to him that I want to be an important player for him and that I want to help him with the squad with my experience. I have to deserve my place in the team, that is the same at every club, no-one is guaranteed a place."I think the manager spoke with Mr Romanov all of the time about the possibility and if the coach says that he doesn't want a player then the player can't come. I know that you try to find something interesting to write about as part of your job but I think that there is no problem.

"I heard so many things, so much gossip but I don't see any problem. I spoke with the gaffer and I think we can be successful."

Skacel revealed that the prospect of having to sit on the bench for Greek side Larissa more often than start games for them helped convince him to move onto pastures new.

And one he found out that Hearts were interested, there was only ever going to be one destination he was heading to.

"I have still got a lot of friends here and I keep in touch with a few players and former players from Hearts, so I have had good information about them over the last few years.

"Larissa had some financial trouble and they changed coach, he told me he did not know how much playing time he could give me.

"I said okay but told him that I wanted to be in the national team and I did not want to risk spending all of my time on the bench.

"I am not the kind of player who just wants to take his money for sitting in the stand or on the bench."