Hearts legend Rudi Skacel has called time on his career after playing his final match at the weekend .
The Czech Republic international had spent the last two seasons with FK Pribram in his homeland.
At 39, he has decided to call it a day and bowed out after a 0-0 home draw against Zbrojovka Brno in the second leg of their relegation play-off, which finished 3-3 on aggregate with Pribram staying up.
Skacel gained legendary status at Tynecastle across two spells. He initially arrived onloan from Marseille under George Burley in 2005.
His first season as a Hearts player was an explosive one, netting 16 goals from midfielder as the Jambos finished second in the league and won the Scottish Cup , Skacel scoring in the final against Gretna.
He returned in 2010/11 with Jim Jefferies as manager, and picked up where he left off, scoring 13 goals that season.
It was in 2012 his finest hour would come though, scoring twice in the 5-1 Scottish Cup final victory over Hibs, who he’d developed a habit of finding the net against in maroon, and taking great joy in doing so.
His career continued after that but never hit the same heights, with spells in Scotland with Dundee Utd and Raith Rovers never likely to see him loved as much as he was in Gorgie.
Speaking on the FK Pribram website on his retirement, he said: “I came here to play the season and end up with football. That I will enjoy my last year's career. We made it to the first league, which some people didn't appreciate. It was a great success. I am grateful to Pribram for having experienced it.
“This is the last season. I'd hate to take up space. I think I had a long career, one must end. I’ll miss the fun in the dressing room the most. But life doesn't end there.”
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