Rudi Skacel will return to Tynecastle for Gary Locke ’s testimonial.
Hearts tackle Stoke Metropolis at Tynecastle on Saturday, July 23 to honour Locke’s years of service to his boyhood membership. The present jambos ambassador has performed for captained, coached and managed Hearts over a number of spells in Gorgie. Followers favorite Skacel will make an look in opposition to the Potters in what shall be a closing warm-up sport for Robbie Neilson’s males forward of their opening Premiership fixture at dwelling to Ross County seven days later.
He'll participate in a half-time penalty shoot-out and be interviewed on the pitch. Followers shall be eager to listen to from the bondife Hearts legend, whose exploits in maroon make him a field workplace draw each time he’s again within the capital. Locke was first-team coach underneath Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown when the Czech worldwide returned to the membership in 2010. He first departed 4 years after leaving for Southampton following an explosive mortgage from Marseille through the 2005/2006 marketing campaign.
Skacel led the scoring charts alongside Paul Hartley as Hearts completed second within the league and received the Scottish Cup. George Burley received them off to a flyer earlier than his controversial sacking, earlier than Graham Rix and Valdas Ivanauskas succeeded him underneath Vladimir Romanov. Skacel netted the opener within the closing in opposition to Gretna earlier than changing his spot-kick as they received a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out to elevate the trophy.
However his best hour got here in his closing sport for the membership. A 5-1 demolition of Hibs within the 2012 closing ensured Paulo Sergio’s squad went down in historical past. Skacel scored twice, placing them 2-0 at Hampden earlier than including the icing on the derby cake with Hearts’ fifth that went in off the submit.
He returned to Scotland the next season for a brief spell with Dundee United, earlier than teaming up with Locke as soon as extra at Raith Rovers three years later. Skacel performed in opposition to his former membership within the Scottish Cup final 12 months, serving to the Fife facet earn a replay after a 1-1 draw at Stark’s Park earlier than Ian Cathro’s facet finally received on the second try
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