Scottish Cup hero Rudi Skacel 'likely to exit Hearts'

Image caption, Skacel celebrates by lifting the Scottish Cup in front of the Hearts fans
  • Author, Clive Lindsay
  • Role, 91热爆 Scotland

Czech winger Rudi Skacel is poised to leave Hearts as a Scottish Cup winner for the second time.

The 32-year-old, who ended his previous spell after the Hampden win over Gretna in 2006, scored twice in the 5-1 hammering of Hibernian.

But it looks like he will not be offered a new contract at Tynecastle.

"It's the best way to say goodbye with the cup in my hands - 99% it's my last game for Hearts," said Skacel, the club's top scorer this season.

"Never say never, but it probably was the last game for me."

Skacel's future is still to be determined and he insisted that he does not have any contract offers despite his 18 goals for the Scottish Premier League club this season.

"At this moment, I don't have anything," he said.

"I want now to switch off for a couple of weeks and then decide what will be the best for me."

Skacel, who left Hearts for Southampton but returned to Tynecastle in 2010 after leaving Larissa, was delighted to prevent Hibs winning the Scottish Cup for the first time in 110 years.

Image caption, Beattie celebrates the Scottish Cup victory with his won at Hampden

"It was great," he said. "We have the trophy, we won the big derby and we showed everybody there's only one team in Edinburgh. Fantastic.

"We were favourites. I think we deserved this win because we are a much better team and we showed that to everybody."

It had already been announced that midfielder Ian Black would not be offered a new contract with Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov determined to reduce the playing budget.

Striker Craig Beattie, meanwhile, is uncertain of his own future despite having impressed after signing a short-term contract in February following his release by Swansea City.

The 28-year-old was only fit enough to come on as a substitute having struggled with a hamstring injury and illness but said he felt a part of the victory particularly after setting up one goal and scoring the other in the semi-final win over Celtic.

"It looks like Blackie and Skacel are going to pastures new, but I'm certainly open to staying," the former Celtic forward said, adding that he enjoyed playing for manager Paulo Sergio.

"We will see what happens, although I have other options as well.

"I have four winners' medals, but that probably surpasses them all.

"The manager has been fabulous with me and has impressed with the way he handles the team, his tactics, everything."