Did football politics KO Hearts bid to sign Rudi Skacel?

League bosses went for the safe option over Rudi Skacel transfer.

The SPFL declined the Edinburgh club’s attempt to bring the Czech internationalist back as a one-in, one-out replacement for Alan Combe.

Explaining the decision they said they considered a range of factors, including the fact 34-year-old midfielder Skacel was being proposed to replace a 39-year-old goalkeeper/goalkeeping coach who has not appeared on any first-team squad list in any Premiership match for Hearts this season.

In other words nice try but you are not on. It was a different story for Paul McCallum, who was allowed to come north on loan from West Ham to take the place of Adam King, who is off to Swansea City.

I could see the arguments presented by Hearts, but it is hard to argue with the answers they were given by the League. I am not sure, though, the latter tells the whole story.

For in making the decision they arrived at, the SPFL have spared themselves a lot of hassle.

Rangers weren’t afforded any wriggle room in terms of their transfer embargo and no doubt would have been quick to complain if they saw another club at least in their eyes getting away with one.

I believe it would have been a similar story, too, with the clubs immediately above Hearts in the Premiership table.

It is true the likes of Partick Thistle, Ross County and St Mirren have a significant points advantage over the Tynecastle club as a result of the 15-point penalty.

But the two excellent victories achieved by Hearts in their last two games will have given clubs in the basement with them a little bit of the fear.

Finally, I think the League would have been very wary of setting a precedent that could set up some awkward arguments in future. What probably happened was they weighed it all up and went for the safe option.

I think Hearts should be commended for trying to get a player of Skacel’s ability and experience in through the door.

It is another example of the smart thinking they have shown this season to try and make the very most of their resources. Particularly good was bringing forward the rescheduled match with St Mirren.

It allowed Ryan Stevenson to serve the last game of his ban and therefore he will be available to play against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the second League Cup semi-final this afternoon.

Hearts will go into the tie as underdogs but after winning the last two SPL games they have the right to think they have a puncher’s chance.

Inverness have not exactly been setting the heather on fire in recent weeks. Should they fall behind, I am not convinced they would be able to come back.

Only time will tell but, without doubt, it will be a magnificent achievement should Hearts, in their present circumstances, make it through to the Cup Final.