Tennent's Sixes: Rangers spank Celtic as 36y/o scores five goals - and Hearts hero hurts Hibs again

In days of yore, it was current squad members of the top-flight clubs who would play the abridged format of football. This time around, it’s down to former players, and a chance for some legends to strut their stuff in front of once-adoring fans.

That was certainly the case for Hearts’ Rudi Skacel, who at the age of 47 is still terrorising Hibs when it comes to Edinburgh derbies.

The Czech playmaker won the Scottish Cup twice for Hearts and netted twice in the 2012 5-1 triumph over their rivals. He was the scourge of Easter Road and inside a shopping centre in Glasgow, he kept up the tradition.

Skacel scored the only goal of a 1-0 win over Hibs in the opening session, before netting in a later defeat by Motherwell. It was all about that first strike, though, with his trademark celebration of pointing to his left foot going down well with the Hearts fans, who chanted “Rudi, Rudi”.

Skacel is a modern-day legend at Hearts. “Nothing changes,” he smiled of scoring against Hibs and his celebration. “I'm so happy. It was obviously for supporters to make them laugh and have fun. We appreciate they came over here and have fun like we do.

“But of course, as I said, up there is still the derby, and we want to win it. We show everyone that still in Edinburgh, there is still only one team! Of course, it's a joke. Even at this event, we are happy we won the derby.”

Skacel is long since retired - his last outing was a farewell match for fellow Czech Republic internationalist Milas Baros a few weeks ago - but he follows Hearts from afar. He came back last season ahead of a match against Rangers and lamented a missed opportunity in winning the title.

"When you are retired, when you are off, you have a little bit of a small distance,” said Skacel. “But of course, I support them. I even come to Rangers game to help them, give them a small boost for the rest of the season.

“I think they deserve to win [the league]. I had a chance to see the team train and I spoke with the gaffer. I feel like the team looked strong mentally. They have a good relationship among them. I think they deserve to win. Unfortunately, they didn't. When they came back from Celtic Park, I felt sick. I bumped my heart like I was one of them there. I was really disappointed. I think it was a big loss for Scottish football as well.

“Hopefully, they can at least split them [Old Firm] again. It will be difficult. I think last year was an incredible chance. But hopefully, I feel different now than then. Because even supporters, they believe they can manage. Because the Rangers and Celtic have plenty of problems. They are not strong enough like they used to 20 years ago. So this chance is bigger and bigger.”

‘Hopefully we can win another game’

Skacel’s career took him to Marseille, Panathinaikos and Southampton as well as Hearts and his beloved Slavia Prague. He now calls the Czech capital his home, even if he continues to be on the road.

"I am running around!” smiled Skacel. “I am between Los Angeles and Prague. But my kids now start Czech school. So these last two years, we are most of the time trying to be in Prague. My kids, they are proud they are Czech. And they need to speak Czech properly as well. So at this moment, we are in Prague. But probably, we ended up again in LA as well, because it's great weather for us. And we love the place as well. I am moving around and I like it!”

For this weekend, Skacel has a chance to add more silverware in maroon colours. “Hopefully we can win another game,” said Skacel. “And as I said, it's not important. We can see each other because we are all older. We have families. And there aren't really many opportunities to see each other. So I think I'm looking more forward to go for a pint with the guys and chat about our lives and about how we banter in dressing rooms in the past.

“Obviously, when we go play these 16 minutes, we want to win, all of us. And that's important. We have this winning mentality. I think these new generations are sometimes missing these things. They should have this passion, like I think my generation still has. And you can see it on the pitch."

The crowds steadily built as the afternoon went on, culminating in the Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers. Both teams had chalked up convincing wins in the opening sessions against Kilmarnock and St Mirren respectively, but after putting seven goals past the Buddies, Barry Ferguson’s side cemented their status as tournament favourites by doing the same again, blitzing their city rivals 7-1.

Martyn Waghorn was in scintillating form, scoring five of the goals. The 36-year-old retired from professional football 18 months ago, but still looks as fit as a fiddle and he led the Celtic defence and their goalkeeper Barry John Corr a merry dance.

“Playing against your rivals, you have got to turn up,” said Waghorn afterwards. “I want to score goals. Pure motivation. We can’t get beaten. We are playing for the badge. The confidence comes from hard work. We’ve got good shape and structure. We go again.”

The action continues at Braehead Arena on Sunday, with the final due to be played between 7-8pm.