Skácel began his career with FC Hradec Králové before joining Gambrinus liga side Slavia Prague, where he caught the attention of French giants Olympique de Marseille.

The latter loan spell saw him establish himself as a fan favourite, culminating in him scoring in the 2006 Scottish Cup Final as the Jambos emerged victorious.

He received infrequent call-ups to the Czech Republic national team, amassing seven caps over a period of seven years.

His UEFA Cup and Czech league performances in the 2002–03 season were noticed by French club Olympique de Marseille manager Alain Perrin.

Skácel's home debut was a 4–0 victory over Hearts' city rivals Hibernian at Tynecastle in which he opened the scoring.

Southampton acting chief executive Lee Hoos was quoted as saying: "The Czech national manager views the Championship very much as a second tier league – even though it is the fifth most popular in Europe.

[15] Skácel succeeded in making the UEFA Euro 2008 squad, due to injury to Daniel Pudil, but was an unused substitute in all three of their games as the Czechs crashed out at the group stages.

[17] He made his fifth and final league appearance of his second spell with the club on 29 November 2009, scoring a hat-trick against FC Brno in a 3–1 victory.

[22] On 11 December 2010 he played a key role as the Jambos' recorded their biggest win of the season, scoring twice in a 5–0 victory over Aberdeen at Tynecastle.

[23] On 19 March 2011 Skácel scored his 10th and 11th goals of the season in a dramatic 3–2 victory over St Mirren; his 93rd-minute strike proving the winner.

[25] Skácel's first six appearances of the season were as a substitute as he gradually regained fitness following a lack of pre-season action and his first SPL start did not come until 2 October 2011, a match in which he opened the scoring as the Jambos defeated Celtic 2–0 at home.

[26] He maintained his place in the starting line-up for the following game and scored again in a 2–0 win over Dunfermline at East End Park.

Following Marius Žaliūkas' sending-off the Jambos trailed 2–1 but Skácel's hat-trick inspired the ten men to an incredible 5–2 victory.

[37] However, a permanent return was made impossible by a transfer embargo imposed on the club by the SPL due to recurring late payments of the wages of players and staff.

[39] He instantly caused controversy by, as he had previously hinted on his Twitter account, selecting the number 51 shirt at his new club in reference to Hearts' victory over rivals Hibernian in the Scottish Cup Final.

Manager Peter Houston apologised to Hibs fans saying he was unaware of the significance of the number and would not have allowed Skácel to wear 51 had he known his reasons for selecting it.

On 6 March 2013, Slavia Prague announced that Skácel had returned for a third spell and signed a contract until the end of the season as the club battled against relegation.

[44] He made the first appearance of his return on 16 March 2013 in a 3–1 league win over Slovan Liberec at Stadion Eden, receiving a warm reception from the home fans as he came on as a substitute in the 69th minute.

In January 2014 Skácel was linked with a move to Scottish Championship side Alloa Athletic where former Hearts teammate Paul Hartley was manager.

[46] Hearts cancelled the playing contract of goalkeeping coach Alan Combe, in keeping with the one-in, one-out policy of their transfer embargo, to make space for Skácel[47] only for the SPFL to reject the move stating that it was not viable to replace a 39-year-old goalkeeping coach/player who has never appeared in a match day squad with a midfielder.

[56] He was part of the Czech Republic under-21 squad at the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship in Switzerland, along with his future Hearts teammate Michal Pospíšil.