Skacel expecting Hearts farewell

Rudi Skacel expects to leave Hearts this summer and hopes his time finishes in the same way as his first spell, with a Scottish Cup win.

Despite being top scorer with 16 goals this season, the 32-year-old forward is yet to be offered an extension to his current contract, which expires shortly, and anticipates the William Hill Scottish Cup final against Hibernian on May 19 will be his final appearance for Hearts.

Skacel, who left for Southampton after the 2006 cup success over Gretna and returned to Edinburgh in September 2010, said: "We will see what happens in the summer but so far it looks like it will be my last game. I haven't had any offer.

"I'll do everything to finish with the Scottish Cup in my hands.

"I have fantastic memories from 2006. If I finish with the Scottish Cup in my hands I will be so proud."

Skacel appeared to say farewell to Tynecastle in last Sunday's win over St Johnstone, the final home match of the campaign which saw Hearts win to go two points ahead of the Perth side in fifth place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

He said: "To be honest, 2006 was more emotional for me because I was more prepared for that this season.

"I can't stay here forever. This time I was more calm and enjoyed the game and then said goodbye to the Tynecastle supporters.

"We will see what happens in the summer. You never know."

Hearts go into Sunday's final league match against Celtic requiring a point to secure fifth place ahead of St Johnstone and a Europa League spot for next season.

Skacel is frustrated by what he considers to be a lowly finish and believes, given Rangers' problems, Hearts should be playing Champions League football next term.

Skacel, who dismissed Hearts' own woes including four occasions this season when player salaries were significantly delayed, said: "We can save the season with the Scottish Cup. I'm not really happy how we finished the league.

"We are the third biggest club in the country. Especially this season we should have been fighting for the Champions League and not for fifth place.

"We should be second this season."

Hearts won their last meeting with Celtic, the Scottish Cup semi-final when Skacel was named player of the round for his performance in helping to set up the first all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup final since 1896.

Skacel insists Hearts are not distracted by the cup ahead of the trip to Parkhead, where Celtic will receive the SPL trophy.

"They will celebrate the championship and we need points to secure the Europa League for next season," Skacel added.

"We go step-by-step and we have the last step in the league and then we focus 100% on the final."

After that Skacel's future will be determined, but he insists he is not yet contemplating retirement.

The former Czech Republic international said: "I feel young and I want to play for another three or four years. I don't want to retire.

"I still love football, I'm still hungry, I'm still looking for some challenge."

Midfielders Ian Black, Adrian Mrowiec and forward David Obua have already been told their contracts will not be extended, while the futures of striker Craig Beattie and manager Paulo Sergio are still to be clarified.

First-team coach Gary Locke addressed the media, with Sergio reluctant to speak about the Scottish Cup and his own future.

"I think he (Sergio) is in discussions at the minute with the board and hopefully that will get sorted out in the next couple of weeks," Locke said.

Locke revealed Beattie may be involved on Sunday despite his recent hamstring strain, while David Templeton, Arvydas Novikovas and Mehdi Taouil could play as Sergio prepares to shuffle his pack.