West Ham’s Czech enforcer Tomas Soucek has his eyes set on Ibrox as a staunch supporter of Slavia Prague.
He celebrated Slavia’s win over Leicester City in the Europa League with his ex-teammates on the King Power Stadium pitch via video call and he is keen for a repeat of that situation this time from Glasgow, as he looks to the big game on Thursday evening.
As reported today in the Scottish Sun (print edition p50-51), the Czech international is passionate about the fortunes of his former club – as a boyhood Slavia supporter.
Soucek revealed that he had been watching the Last 32 game at Leicester, from the comfort of his home whilst wearing a Slavia shirt.
He was delighted to see the scenes at full-time and then his phone lit up – it was a call from the Prague side’s assistant manager, Zdenek Houstecky.
The 26-year old stated to the Scottish Sun:
“It was really funny that Zdenek called me after the Leicester game.”
“I was watching and suddenly my phone rang and it was the guys out on the pitch celebrating their win.”
“I congratulated them on a great result and when they saw I had my Slavia top on, they started singing which was a nice moment.”
“They are my club and have been since my childhood – I signed for Slavia when I was just 10 years old.”
“It was great to be part of it because Zdenek is still a really good friend of mine – we speak every week.”
“Maybe he will call me again if the team gets a good result in Glasgow!”
See you in a week! 📅 #slaran #UEL pic.twitter.com/5iJncYNutm
— SK Slavia Prague EN (@slavia_eng) March 11, 2021
Caution
The Hammers favourite was diplomatic when assessing the finely balanced tie between Rangers and Slavia.
Whilst not hiding his loyalties, he did not make any bold predictions or disrespect Rangers capabilities.
Soucek added, “It will need a similar performance to the one in Leicester for Slavia to get into the last eight”
“Of course to win 1-0 or 2-0 would have been great to take to the game in Glasgow but it wasn’t to be.”
“Ideally they would have kept a clean sheet like they did against Leicester but it’s the same sort of tie with everything equal going into the return this week.”
Steven Gerrard’s team will aim to build on their away goal from the Czech capital clash last week, which provides a slight advantage – as long as the Rangers rearguard can stay resolute to stop Slavia from cancelling out the goal coverted by Filip Helander.
If Rangers don’t concede, they win the tie.
Easier said than done of course, but that is the basis for victory.
Three days to go – we can’t wait!