SPFL Premiership is now screened in Braga’s homeland

Ghosts are probably fairly common around Tynecastle Park given the legends who played there in bygone years. It would be naive to think that the late Dave Mackay, Bobby Walker or Jimmy Wardhaugh don’t pop back for the odd visit or to take in a game from time to time. Their spirits will forever be ingrained in Heart of Midlothian folklore.

This season’s Premiership campaign has been captivating viewing. However, for Hearts striker Claudio Braga, the feel of an extra presence around has been more chilling than thrilling recently. His goal against Celtic on Sunday was his first at Tynecastle since August’s 3-3 draw with Motherwell. He hopes it has exorcised some demons after a long wait to hit the net in front of home supporters.

“It was a long time ago so it’s good to get back in that rhythm,” he said, speaking exclusively to the Edinburgh News. “I felt like a ghost was chasing me in a way at Tynecastle. It didn’t matter that much because I would score in away games, but at the same time, it’s also good to score in your own home with a lot of friends here. It’s good to get back to goals at Tynecastle.”

What is the natural reaction of a footballer who feels haunted by a ghost? “Just pray to God and keep trying to work, to be honest,” smiled Braga. “I think my job in this team when it comes to on the pitch is what a coach wants from me. It’s not only goals. I know I should score because I’m a striker. I know I’ll get criticised if I don’t score and I’ll get praised if I score. At the same time, I know that I do my job, I try to do my job on the pitch, work hard and all that stuff, try to pick up the play and try to take care of the ball as much as possible. The goals hopefully will come when that happens.”

One came on Sunday, finally, as Braga claimed his 13th goal in 29 Hearts appearances. He knows it really should be 14. His second-half volley was beaten away by the Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who also thwarted Hearts winger Alexandros Kyziridis in the first half. The players know that a touch of ruthlessness could have converted a 2-2 draw into victory.

“It’s kind of a mixed feeling,” admitted Braga. “We know that one point keeps us still six points ahead of Celtic and four points ahead of Rangers in second place, but at the same time we know that we deserved to win this game. We were the better team for 90 minutes, to be honest. They took their chances and we didn’t take ours. It’s a frustrating feeling.

“It’s good for me to score the equaliser to get us in the game. I also know that I maybe should score the other, so it’s also the same feeling. It’s a mixed feeling individually and collectively because we know we had chances. I was part of it, Kyzi had a chance, but it doesn’t matter the individual. As a team, we know we did enough to win this game.

“The only team we didn't win against so far is Motherwell. We have beaten every other team, so we know we can beat any team. I don’t think we should stand down and wait for any team in this league. Of course, there are some part of the tactics that we will definitely do to be better in our game. But most of it, we should just play our own game. We know we are very good in the press and I think our team are in the place that we are because of our personality on the pitch. I think that’s the biggest compliment that we can give to this team. We are a family, we fight for each other and we have personality.”

That word ‘fight’ is a key component of Hearts’ make-up under head coach Derek McInnes. Standing down and waiting for others, as Braga puts it, simply wouldn’t be tolerated. “Nah, that’s one of the words they use the most. We know maybe some days will not be our best day technically and everything else, but we’re going to fight until the end,” said the Portuguese.

“It’s really good to be unbeaten against Celtic this year, especially knowing the course that they had over the last few years. Also, at the same time, I don’t think it’s surprising. I don’t take it as a surprise. I think it’s a very good feeling because of course Celtic are a big club but we know we can do it. It’s not surprising, it’s just a good feeling.”

Sunday was extra special for Braga with some close friends from his homeland in the stand during a visit to Edinburgh. Some of them he has been friends with since the age of seven. “Yeah, around that time. My childhood friends are here so it was good to have a good game when they are here,” he said, adding that they keep close watch on his progress with Hearts via the Portuguese broadcaster Sport TV.

“I’m lucky that I have a very good family and a very good friendship with guys that I've always known. I'm lucky in that part of my life. They became part of the Hearts fans also, so I think back home it’s a lot of people. I ask [for] a lot of Hearts TV subscriptions to watch so there’s a lot of people watching the games. Also, the channels in Portugal are now putting Hearts on the TV so it’s a good feeling. When I finish the games, I know that all my family and friends are there to back me up.”