ZDENEK Zlamal hopes he can become a Hearts legend by winning the Scottish Cup - just like former Tynecastle hero and countryman Rudi Skacel.
The keeper helped Craig Levein’s side secure a date with destiny at Hampden as Hearts overcame Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday.
The Jambos are now just 90 minutes away from a famous success and Zlamal knows supporters would cherish the moment and the men that made it possible forever more.
He said: “Yes, when Rudi Skacel won the Scottish Cup. I know he won it against Gretna in 2006 but the game I remember is when Hearts beat Hibs 5-1 in 2012. Everyone remembers that game. It was on the Czech news and I watched the highlights of the game on YouTube.
“So I know it’s a massive competition for Hearts and we are very happy to be in the final. I watched the final and I heard all about the celebrations in Princess Street afterwards. I know everything about that final!
“Rudi Skacel is a hero and a lot of people in the Czech Republic know about his Scottish Cup wins and how prestigious this competition is. I hope I can do the same and be part of a Hearts team that wins the Scottish Cup. The final is one game and anything can happen!
“I know Rudi Skacel a little bit. I’ve met him a few times and said hello. But I know he still follows Hearts and supports the club. But I have a very good friend, a goalkeeper called Milan Svenger, who plays along side him for FK Pribram.
“Will he come and watch me in the final? I don’t know.
“If we win it we will be heroes but it will be hard to win the cup. We will have to do it the hard way but it’s just a match. We will see.
“We will do our best and see what happens but Hearts fans deserve success.”
Hearts saw their Betfred Cup ambitions come to a premature end this term as Celtic eased to a 3-0 semi-final win in October.
Keeper Zlamal was at fault for Ryan Christie’s strike that made it 2-0 but made a couple of important stops against Caley.
Zlamal said: “The mistake was not in my mind. It was a long time ago and everyone makes mistakes. When we concede a goal it’s a mistake from the striker, midfielder, defender but when a goalkeeper makes a mistake everyone sees it. But it’s a team game.
“It happened, it shouldn’t happen but now I’ve made a big save in a semi final so that just shows you that football has its ups and downs.”
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