Source: Team_Talk
Skacel returns to Tynecastle
Rudi Skacel declared he was wrong to leave Hearts four years ago on the day he returned to the club on a one-year contract.[LNB] Skacel signed a one-year deal with a further 12-month option, returning to the club he graced successfully in the 2005-06 season before leaving for Southampton in a £1.6million deal.[LNB]Skacel scored 17 goals in his first season-long spell at Tynecastle, including a goal in the Scottish Cup final success over Gretna.[LNB]"I'm glad I'm back," Skacel, who was a free agent after leaving Greek club Larissa, told the Jambos' official website.[LNB]"I was very successful at Hearts, but I was young and at the time I trusted various people telling me it was the right time for me to go, but I was wrong.[LNB]"Now I want to put the past behind me and I am very happy that the club gave me another chance to show my best and restore my career."[LNB]Having last week played down suggestions Skacel was set to return, manager Jim Jefferies may not have had the final decision, with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov sealing the deal.[LNB]When asked if Skacel's recruitment was his own signing, Jefferies responded: "I knew about it, yes.[LNB]"You're always looking to improve your squad and you're always looking to add quality players and that's what we've done."[LNB]The Czech international, who joined Hearts from Marseille, had a spell on loan at Hertha Berlin while at Southampton and returned to first club Slavia Prague before joining Larissa.[LNB]Skacel is not expected to be part of the squad for Saturday's SPL trip to Inverness or the midweek Co-operative Insurance Cup clash at Falkirk, but is optimistic he will feature after that.[LNB]"Motherwell has to be the target for me," he added. "I need a few days. We will see but I believe I will be ready.[LNB]"I feel confident that I can play good football here and we will see and hopefully the boys will help me and we can try and fly up the table and attack for the Europa League."[LNB]Skacel is a versatile player and has been fielded at left-back in the past.[LNB]It is a position in which Hearts are struggling following the knee injury suffered by Lee Wallace while on Scotland duty last week.[LNB]Although Jefferies admitted he could utilise Skacel in defence, he believes the 31-year-old is more likely to challenge Andrew Driver and David Templeton for a place on the left of midfield.[LNB]"There's a possibility in certain games he could play left-back," said Jefferies.[LNB]"He doesn't like it, it's not his favoured position, but he can play there.[LNB]"The good thing about him is he can play in two or three positions, he's got flexibility to do that."[LNB]Despite being a favourite among the home support in his previous spell and his undoubted quality, Skacel is not assured of a starting position.[LNB]"Whoever comes in here has to come in an compete for a place," said Jefferies. "There's no guarantee of anybody playing."[LNB]Jefferies will be on the touchline on Saturday for the last league game before a two-match ban commences.[LNB]Jefferies will face the Scottish Football Association disciplinary committee next month after being charged with excessive misconduct following his protests during last Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Celtic.[LNB]Jefferies was sent to the stand after complaining that Daryl Murphy was offside in the build-up to Celtic's opening goal.[LNB]The Hearts boss has since apologised after accepting Murphy was onside, despite his insistence to the contrary in the post-match press conference.[LNB]Jefferies, who is unlikely to appeal against the automatic ban, added: "I've had the letter, I've replied to it, we'll just have to wait and see what comes of it.[LNB]"I admitted I was wrong, I was out of line and it was a thing done in the heat of the moment.[LNB]"I accept that, I've apologised through (SFA head of referee development) Hugh Dallas."
