Bobby Zlamal has shown more support for Czech defender Ondrej Kudela following his ban for racism - before appearing to aim a dig at Rangers.

The former Hearts goalkeeper recently accused Rangers of using the racist incident as a way to 'cover up their shortcomings' following defeat to Slavia Prague in the Europa League.

During the match Kudela was caught on camera cupping his hands to Glen Kamara's ear before he branded him a "f***ing monkey", for which he was slapped with a 10 match ban.

That ban sees him miss Euro 2020 and Zlamal, a former Czech international shot stopper, revealed he was asked to apologise for the comments. But instead he doubled down on the criticism of the Ibrox club.

In an interview with CTK ahead of the international clash he said: “Here (in Scotland) the case still resonates and is being resolved, especially with Rangers fans.

“I also had a bit of a problem with that, because I expressed my opinion in the Czech media. Scottish newspapers took it over and interpreted it in their own way, and I was advised to apologise.

“But I stand by my statement and I do not see anything for which I should apologise.”

Zlamal went on to suggest that with no evidence of racism, it was unfair to condemn the Kudela. He added: “I absolutely disagree with racism and I oppose any racist behaviour.

“The case with Kudela, however, the presumption of innocence, which is one of the main pillars of the Western world, should be respected. No one can accuse Ondrej of something that only the two of them know with Kamara.

“Anyone could come up with any accusation. If he told him something racist, let’s give him the ultimate punishment. But there is no evidence here and I don’t know what he was tried on they gave him a ten-match-ban.”

Zlamal later revealed how he and his ex-Hearts teammates had discussed the issue in the Tynecastle dressing room during a conversation which divided opinion.

The goalie pointed to the challenges by Kemar Roofe against Ondrej Kolar from which the Slavia stopper was left with a fractured skull.

"Only the racism was discussed," he explained. "They saw it differently than I did. The subject was quite hot and explosive, now it is calmer. No one in Scotland spoke about the tackles, only the racism. I pointed out how the match was played. Aggressive football is standard for Scots, but this went too far."

He went on to suggest that the racism helped Rangers in the days following their cup exit.

He concluded: “The racism was great for Rangers because it covered up all their shortcomings as Slavia beat them. Rangers players are definitely no saints."