Hearts sent title race backing from Norwegian club as CEO keen to see star with limitless potential thrive

Hearts striker Claudio Braga’s potential has no limits, according to the boss at his former club.

Portuguese forward Braga is adored by Hearts fans after 17 goals and six assists across all competitions heading into the post-split matches. He has been vital to Derek McInnes’ side ascending to the top of the table, an ever-present in Jambos plans since joining from Norwegian second tier side Aalesunds FK last summer.

Tarjei Gjendemso-Omenas, the Scandinavian club’s CEO, has been thrilled to see the forward he remains in contact with thrive in maroon. Braga has courted the attention of the Portuguese national team and rumours of interest from other clubs is inevitable on current form, and if title glory is clinched. Aalesunds have a sell-on clause as part of their deal that took Braga to Hearts, but Omenas insists all they’re caring about is how the forward’s career progresses, as he holds endless potential.

What is Claudio Braga’s potential?

“Of course that's a part of it, but first of all, we want Braga to take a good step and the right step for him as a player and as a human,” Omenas told the Evening News. “Hopefully Hearts will see this as a good case. That they're bringing a good player from Aalesunds and he can take new steps from Hearts and out again. I just hope it's going to be a good case for all of us.

“I think there's no limits for Braga. He showed a huge step now, going from Norwegian football to Scotland. He just keeps on developing and taking new steps. I think Braga is ready for whatever comes to him. Because of his passion and he is so professional. I think he can do whatever comes to him.”

Omenas got to learn more about Hearts as transfer talks progressed between his side and the Premiership leaders. He has kept tabs on their bid to become the first team outside of Glasgow since Aberdeen under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1985 to claim top flight glory, with the Aalesunds leader impressed by the entire maroon operation. From in-depth scouting that is aided by Jamestown Analytics to how the club markets itself, there is plenty to admire.

Who is supporting Hearts title bid from Norway?

“It’s not just the football,” Omenas explained. “We're thinking about all the marketing stuff. How they're building the visual stuff around the club. Social media, how they're bringing the fans around the club. It always looks cool when it goes good in a club, of course. I think they're really good at building up the profiles around the club as well. That's what I was thinking about first of all. Of course, there is the recruitment and everything. They've done a good job with scouting Braga. They knew him well as a player when it came to bringing him in.

“There are good people over there. We are following all of our players after they've gone from Aalesunds. Especially Braga, because of the human, we are happy and cheering for him and for Hearts. It’s cool. We often talk about the Scottish league now, following the games and everything. It's just cool to see and we're really inspired by Hearts as a club. Not just the football but everything around it. It's been a cool club to get to know and to follow. We hope they succeed and it would be really cool if Braga can be a part of it because he deserves that.”