Former Hearts ace has fond memories of national stadium as he Czechs in to face ex-team-mates

RUDI SKACEL'S voice is notably high pitched. "I want to kick Paul Hartley, definitely," he says, pausing momentarily before bursting into laughter. The sense of humour hasn't dwindled in the four years since he left Scotland.

When he strolls through the glass frontage to Hampden Park tomorrow evening, however, the Czech midfielder expects goose-pimples rushing to the fore in a wave of spine-tingling emotion. Last time he graced the National Stadium he lifted the 2006 Scottish Cup with Hearts, scoring in the final against Gretna having helped orchestrate a 4-0 demolition of Hibs in the semi-final at the same venue. "Those were fantastic days for me, I'm very excited going back there," he says.

If recollections of his last visit wouldn't provide enough of a sentimental jolt, the Scotland squad for tomorrow's friendly contains no fewer than four members of the Tynecastle squad in which he excelled during season 2005/06. It would have been five but for Lee Wallace's head injury. Hartley, Craig Gordon, Christophe Berra and Andy Webster have all been enlisted for Craig Levein's first fixture as national coach, and Skacel is already anticipating a heartfelt reunion.

He now plays for the Greek Super League club Larissa and has been recalled to a Czech Republic squad which is under new management and seeking to overcome their failure to qualify for the World Cup finals in South Africa. In that respect, they have much in common with Scotland.

Skacel last represented his country in May 2008, ironically against the Scots in a Prague friendly. He was named in the Czech squad for the Euro 2008 finals but remained an unused substitute during all three Group A matches as his country was eliminated at the first stage. He is desperate to impress new coach Michal Bilek in the knowledge that good performances could cement him a regular international place during the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, for which the Czechs and Scotland will share Group I along with Spain, Lithuania and Liechtenstein.

The 30-year-old believes he can become an experienced head amongst the next generation of Czech players. Which prompts tongue-in-cheek comments about trying to impress by swinging a boot at Hartley and sticking one past Gordon tomorrow.

"I want to beat them because I want to make jokes at Mr Hartley," he laughs. "I'm just kidding but it's a big game for me. I got the chance to go back to the national team and the game against Scotland is something special for me. It's a new team and new manager and maybe a new future. I see a big chance for me with the Czech team so I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I'm proud and I want to fight for my country and help fight to make Euro 2012.

"I have great memories of Scotland, especially for the stadium where the game will be. It was amazing how the Jambo supporters celebrated after the Scottish Cup win there. It will be in my memory forever. It was a fantastic atmosphere that day and that's why I'm looking forward to going back. It was a special evening after the match and it was so nice we also took the Champions League place that year.

"I had good luck at Hampden, we won twice there with Hearts so I hope I can win the third time as well. It will be a big challenge playing against Hartley and Gordon, so I can't wait. I hope I can score against Gordon. Last time in Prague we beat Scotland 3-1 and we are in the same qualifying group for the Euros. I scored a few goals in Scotland and that is what I want again tomorrow."

Another of Hearts' 2006 Scottish Cup winners, Roman Bednar, withdrew from the Czech squad last week with a hamstring strain. His place is taken by Skacel's Larissa colleague, striker Jan Blaek. "It's a shame for Roman because he wanted to go back to the national team, especially to play at Hampden Park against Scotland," explains Skacel.

Opportunities for reminiscing will be plentiful as it is. Skacel needs no encouragement to pore over 12 months at Tynecastle that included 17 goals and ended with a 1.6million transfer to Southampton in July 2006. To this day, he carries an intense affection for Hearts but makes no secret of why he left.

"I think at some of my other clubs, like Marseille and Panathinaikos, we had better teams. But at Hearts something special happened," he continues.

"Everything was perfect. We had a small squad, good dressing room and amazing supporters. The whole city, or maybe half the city, was behind the team.

"We had a good unit and stayed together. I remember we started the season very well and it became an amazing year for me and the team.

"We had very big personalities like Elvis, Zico (Hartley] and Takis Fyssas. Big names with big experience who helped us stay together with the supporters.

"Maybe there should not have been so many changes with the coach, maybe it could have been different. It's all if, if, if.

"Some people don't recognise what a special team it was. Everybody knows (Vladimir] Romanov made massive mistakes. He made bad decisions and after one season this team disappeared because of all the trouble with him.

"I don't want to think about if, but that team should have had some success in Europe and even won the Scottish league. It's a shame for the Jambos family. So many good guys and good players. I think later people realised how strong this team was. Look how many players now play in the national team of Scotland, look at Elvis who went to Celtic, many people went on to play big roles in football."

Having crossed the barrier into his thirties, Skacel is keen to secure one more leading role for himself before retirement: The chance to represent Czech Republic in a major international tournament.

"It is a big disappointment that we did not qualify for the World Cup. We are a strong team and a proud country. We all love football but there are so many changes in our team now and we have to build up for new success. I really want to be part of it."

A virtuoso performance on his favourite stage tomorrow evening would set him off on an ideal footing.