The crowds were drifting away from Tynecastle as Claudio Braga entered the Media Room at Tynecastle, his face beaming, and no wonder.
The Men in Maroon had just edged Rangers 2-1 and the affable Portuguese had played his part. Indeed, the was given a standing ovation as he left the pitch with nine minutes of regulation time remaining.
Braga remained in the dugout with his team-mates as the minutes ticked down to the final whistle. There were nervous moments. One as Rangers substitute Thelo Asasgaard headed against the upright and then £8m striker, Youssef Chermiti, headed just wide of Hearts’ left-hand post in the dying seconds.
The raucous cacophony of a packed Tynecastle exploded when referee John Beaton blew for full time, and Braga paraded around the ground with his colleagues, soaking up the atmosphere. Those privileged enough to be there will remember that moment.
Minutes later he strolled down the corridor from the home dressing room to meet the massed ranks of the Scottish press, and the contingent was sizeable. The cameras homed in on Claudio Rafael Soares Braga who was named the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year in Glasgow on Sunday. Then, 24-hours later, the jubilant Jambos took a seismic step towards the William Hill Premiership title before their adoring fans.
No wonder the 26-year-old was smiling as the media men deposited their sound recording machines on the table in front of Braga. His goals have helped Hearts to within touching distance of the title – remember the last time they won the league championship was in the 1959-60 season – and he has scored 17 goals since arriving from Norwegian second-tier side, Aalesunds FK on June 24, 2025, making his debut on July 12.
Braga admitted he had not celebrated his personal accolade as the Rangers game was so close to the awards presentation. He said: “I need to sleep. This game was so important I could not celebrate properly.”
Incidentally, the dinner also saw Derek McInnes, Hearts’ head coach, named Manager of the Year and Hearts’ women’s coach, Eva Olid collected the SWPL, Manager of the Year, title.
The awards come only days after the Youth Team won the Scottish Cup at Hampden, ending a 26-year wait by thrashing Queen’s Park 4-0. These are, indeed, heady days at Tynecastle. More to come? Well, time will tell.
For the moment, Braga is on cloud nine. Asked to sum up his mood, he replied: “I could not be better.” Surprise, surprise.
The victory, he declared, against Rangers was so important, but it arrived after a torrid first 45 minutes in which the Ibrox men dominated this William Hill Premiership clash. Braga admitted: “They were winning every ball, the pressure was not right.
“We felt we get to half time so we can get together and then do things that we needed to do. We never doubted that we could do it. We changed a little bit and got more touches.”
Two second-half goals from Stephen Kingsley and Lawrence Shankland could prove priceless in the run-in and Hearts are, undoubtedly, sitting pretty, three points clear at the summit of the William Hill Premiership.
Braga feels the Capital club are in a “very good position” but he added: “It is three games, two away and one home and I guess all of them are incredibly tough.”
For the record, the Jambos travel to Motherwell on Saturday (20.00), entertain Falkirk next Wednesday (20,00) and then visit Celtic on Saturday, May 16 (12.30).
Hearts have come from behind in their last three games to win – against Motherwell, Hibs and now Rangers – and Braga said: “We are known for giving everything for each other. That was exactly what happened (against Rangers).
“We push each other. We can play football, but we know that if the football is not working we know we need to fight for each other.”
The energy from the stands at packed Tynecastle was outstanding on the night and the player said: “It has been a lot like this. When we play at Tynecastle that is the reason whey we have never lost. Against Rangers, it was outstanding. Thank you very much.”
QUIET REFECTION: Caudio Braga (left) with Alexandros Kyziridis at training. Picture Nigel Duncan
FLAG FRENZY: Fans urging their team on before the first whistle v Rangers. Picture Nigel Duncan
THANKS: Derek McInnes, Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga salute the fans. Picture Nigel Duncan
