Rudi Skacel, 47, nets the winner for Hearts in a 16‑minute derby revival at Braehead Arena.
When the Tennent’s Sixes returned after a 33-year hiatus, the atmosphere at Braehead Arena was electric. The two-day indoor festival, staged this afternoon gathered all twelve Scottish Premiership clubs for a fast-paced, six-a-side competition backed by the SPFL.
Among the familiar faces was 47-year-old Czech forward Rudi Skacel whose link with Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) stretches back to the 2005/06 season.
Skacel’s enduring legacy in Edinburgh derbies
Skacel first carved his name into Hearts folklore during his initial spell at Tynecastle, helping the Jambos split the Old Firm in the 2005/06 campaign.
He returned for a second stint from 2010 to 2012, and his most celebrated moment arrived when he struck twice in a 5-1 Scottish Cup final triumph over rivals Hibs. Those goals cemented his reputation as a derby specialist, a reputation he revived once more in a 16-minute Sixes encounter.
The revived Tennent’s Sixes format
The resurrected tournament mirrors its original 1984-1993 structure: the twelve clubs are divided into three groups, each containing a pair of city rivals. Hearts share Group A with Hibs, Dundee faces Dundee United in Group B, and Celtic meets Rangers in Group C. Every side plays three group matches, two on Saturday and one on Sunday. The top two clubs from each group, plus the two best third-placed teams, advance to a knockout phase that includes quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final on Sunday evening.
Squad sizes vary: Falkirk submitted six players, Hearts seven, Kilmarnock eight, while the remaining nine clubs each named the maximum nine participants. Rangers, the youngest squad with an average age of 38.4, fielded 32-year-old Lewis Macleod and 34-year-old Andy Halliday. Hearts’ roster featured veteran centre-back Ian Black goalkeeper Paul Grant and manager Gary Locke. Late changes saw Martyn Waghorn and Daniel Candeias replace Lee McCulloch and Kris Boyd for Rangers.
Derby drama: Skacel’s winning moment
The opening match of the tournament pitted Hearts against Hibs, reigniting a rivalry that has defined Edinburgh football for decades. After a dominant first half, Hearts struggled to breach Grant’s reflexes. In the second half, Skacel found himself one-on-one with the keeper, executed a delicate dink and slotted the ball home, securing a 5-1 victory in the shortened game.
True to his style, Skacel celebrated with a finger to his lips, a point to the back of his shirt, and a flick of his famed left foot. The roar of the Hearts supporters echoed through the arena as they chanted “Rudi, Rudi”. When asked about the moment, Skacel smiled and said, “Nothing changes. I’m so happy. It was for the fans, to make them laugh and have fun.”
He added, “Even at this event we are happy we won the derby. We want to show everyone that, even in Edinburgh, there is still only one team!” The comment, delivered with a wink, underscored the light-hearted yet fiercely competitive spirit of the Sixes.
Beyond the arena: Skacel’s life off the pitch
Although Skacel retired after a farewell appearance for fellow Czech international Milas Baros, he remains a vocal Hearts supporter. He recently praised the squad’s mental strength, noting, “They deserve to win the league. The team looked strong, the relationships are good, but they fell short.” He also admitted the disappointment of watching Rangers lose at Celtic Park, saying it made his heart “sick”.
Skacel’s career has taken him from Marseille to Panathinaikos, Southampton and his beloved Slavia Prague. Today he splits his time between Prague and Los Angeles, ensuring his children learn Czech at school. “I’m moving around, and I like it,” he said, adding that he looks forward to “having a pint with the guys” when he returns to Scotland for the Sixes.
The tournament may lack the prestige of a Hampden Park final, but for former players and fans alike it offers a rare chance to relive classic moments. As Skacel put it, “We have this winning mentality. The younger generation should feel that passion.” With the Sixes back for the first time in three decades, the hope is that the joy, rivalry, and occasional “creaky joints” will continue to inspire Scottish football for years to come.
