Top Hearts man says 4 Jambos are ready for international call-ups
Scotland and Ireland could pluck new blood from Tynecastle Park
There is a huge smile on Claudio Braga’s face, which isn’t unusual in fairness. Hearts’ Portuguese forward is happy to remain at Tynecastle Park after the summer transfer window closed. He played his part in an enthralling 3-1 win over rivals Hibs in midweek, and took great satisfaction watching Easter Road empty near full-time. It has been an enjoyable week in Gorgie.
“Yeah, it's like, I feel home,” says the player, an iconic figure among supporters after multiple player of the year awards last season. “I feel home here, so whatever happens I'll be settled. Of course, I have ambitions and all that but I think whatever happens will happen in the time that is necessary. Especially going to Easter Road and seeing an empty stadium in 80 minutes, I think that feels really good as a Hearts player and supporter.”
Thursday’s Edinburgh derby brought Hearts a third successive victory against Hibs for the first time since 2012. “It's a good achievement,” adds Braga. “Like all the games here, they are hard with some pretty ugly football. I think today was a little bit different to be honest. Of course, when they scored and they had the back-up of the stadium, it was a little bit hard but I feel like most of the game we just dominated. We were on top of the game and I think to get the win is really good.
“These derby games, I already played five and then it's like you start to understand that it matters to win. It doesn't matter how. I feel that moment when the stadium put pressure on us and they were with Hibernian, I think we just showed personality and character. I talked about that in the previous game and that's stuff that we didn't prove yet. Against Rapid Vienna [UEFA Conference League play-off win], we hadn't proved that we could do that and now I think just over and over we are proving that we can do it.”
Head coach Wouter Vrancken, appointed in June, is instilling his playing methods. “We talked since the beginning of the season about different players, different coach, different style of play and then just a little bit patience - stopping committing immature mistakes and getting more and more confidence when it comes to the way we want to play and the way the coach wants us to play. I think you see it on the pitch. Everybody plays with so much freedom at some moments and I feel that's so good.”
Braga is thriving as part of a dangerous Hearts attacking quartet which Hibs simply couldn’t live with. Tucked in behind striker James Wilson, the pair are flanked by wingers Calvin Miller to the right and Josh McPake to the left. McPake created Wilson’s opening goal at Easter Road and then scored the third after an exquisite solo run. New Scotland coach Sebastien Pocognoli could not fail to be impressed sitting in the stand.
Hearts fans used adapted lyrics to ABBA’s 1976 hit song Dancing Queen to voice their appreciation of McPake in Leith. Braga knows all about revamped tunes from yesteryear being blared out in adoration given Queen’s Radio Ga Ga is now a Tynecastle anthem in his honour. He is a massive fan of McPake’s wing work.
“I feel like he's in such a good form, so confident and such a good song by the way,” smiles the striker. “It's ******* good to be honest, but he’s so confident and I think that's all you want when you look around you. You want to play with players that are confident and - especially the way we are playing - confident with the ball, that have no fear of receiving the ball with pressure. They they do whatever you want to do and can do inside of the game that we want to play. I think he's been unbelievable.”
There are now understandable calls for McPake to be named in Pocognoli’s first Scotland squad later this month. Aside from tormenting Hibs full-back Felix Passlack, he has two goals and four assists in eight appearances since joining Hearts from St Johnstone in June and is generally in rampant form. Wilson must also be in the international frame with four goals in his last give games after proving to Vrancken he can fill the striker position. Miller, with four goals in 11 games for Hearts, is also a serious contender for Scotland duty.
Braga believes all three would merit a call-up. He also thinks Ireland should look at Oisin McEntee, the midfielder imperious in central defence this season for Hearts. “I just hope that they don't look at where they came from in a way but look at how is their performance right now and the form. I think national teams should be about that, about performance at the moment. I think these guys are being unbelievable. For example, for Ireland, Oisin is being a ******* beast. I think there are just so many guys that could get a place right now and deserve to be called up, so I hope for them.”