Coleman looks north to Skacel

Hearts manager Valdas Ivanauskas has attempted to play down recent press speculation that midfield star Rudolf Skacel could be moving to Premiership outfit Fulham.

Recent speculation had suggested that Fulham manager Chris Coleman could be lining up a bid for the Hearts midfielder in the summer.

The 26-year-old has impressed this season whilst on loan from Marseille, prompting suggestions that Coleman will make a bid to strengthen his midfield in the summer.

He has been an integral part of the Hearts side that have virtually cemented their place in the Champions League qualifying stages next season, scoring 16 league goals for the club and helping them in to second place in the SPL ahead of Rangers.

But Hearts boss Valdas Ivanauskas has played down the link and displayed remarkable confidence that the Scottish outfit can keep him playing north of the border next season.

'I talked to Rudi this week. We shared our opinions and I told him he is very important for us', he told the Daily Record.

'Will he stay for next season? I am optimistic about that,' he added.

However, Skacel's agent, Zika, also weighed in with his opinion: 'Ruda is fully concentrated on his Hearts duties and helping them to finish second in the SPL', he told CTK.

'But we will reassess the options after the end of the season', he added.

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