logo
Braga looking to up his game in Gorgie

Braga looking to up his game in Gorgie

Claudio Braga admitted that his heartbeat increased after seeing the amount of fans in the stands at Tynecastle as he returned to the dressing room after Hearts' warm-up ahead of their Premier Sports Cup clash with Scottish Championship combine, Dunfermline Athletic, on Saturday.
And the Portuguese-born forward (pictured left by Nigel Duncan) admitted that the 12,940 attendance was the largest he had ever played in front of in his professional career.
Braga thoroughly enjoyed the Tynecastle experience and naturally hopes for more.
Tonight (Tuesday, 19.45) Hearts are on their travels and visit Broadwood Stadium to face Scottish League One outfit, Hamilton Academical, who won their opening game 2-0 at Scottish League Two side Stirling Albion on Saturday.
Naturally, the man who arrived from Norwegian football after a spell in the lower leagues in his native country, hopes to get the nod for a second time from head coach, Derek McInnes, who admitted recently that the player was one of the top targets for the Tynecastle team.
McInnes was impressed with Baga's attitude and his determination to improve, and the player is impressed with what he has seen of the former Kilmarnock and Aberdeen boss.
Braga said: 'He is a great guy, and I am not just saying this for you (the media). He can tell the message in a good way.'
The affable player is also impressed with what he has seen of teenage striker James Wilson. Braga said: 'He has achieved a lot for his age, but he's a humble guy and I'm looking forward to keep working with him.'
And Braga is under no illusions about the challenges which lie ahead. He faces stiff competition for a place in the starting line-up, despite arriving in Gorgie with a three-year contract and a good scoring record.
The fans got their first site of the newcomer on Saturday, and he showed some touches in the 4-1 win, starting on the left side of the Tynecastle team, and then, after instructions from McInnes, moving more into the centre of the pitch.
Braga expected it to be physical in Scotland and it was on Saturday against Neil Lennon's side, but Braga feels that Hearts have a quality squad.
The 25-year-old, signed from Norwegian First Division football, where attendances only reach around 10,000 fans, added: 'Saturday was just the beginning. It was hard. It was physical. That was what I was expecting and I need to adapt to the type of football I will be playing here.'
It will be hard again against John Rankin's men at Broadwood and competition for a spot in the starting line-up could increase soon as Braga could be joined by two other newcomers this week.
Albanian winger Saba Kerjota and Pierre Landry Kabore, a Burkina Faso international who has been playing in Estonia, are reported to be in Scotland's Capital and are said to be close to clinching deals.
Like this:
Like
Related
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

McInnes praises Kyziridis for goalscoring debut
McInnes praises Kyziridis for goalscoring debut

BBC News

time23 minutes ago

  • BBC News

McInnes praises Kyziridis for goalscoring debut

Head coach Derek McInnes was encouraged by the goalscoring debut of winger Alexandros Kyziridis in Hearts' four-goal Premier Sports Cup win at 24-year-old Greek player set up Craig Halkett's headed opener and scored himself following Alan Forrest's cross."You see what he is, I think he's capable of moments when he holds his width and he's really incisive and makes his mind up early," McInnes told Premier Sports."Like a lot of wide players, decision-making is where they are judged. I thought he did a lot of good, considering it was his first game."He was in the right area to score a goal. He should have been in the right area before that to score another goal. But he did some good things."Fellow summer signing Claudio Braga scored a diving header before Kyziridis put Hearts three up by the break, but McInnes was expecting more in the second half before Halkett headed in his second goal late on."We played some good stuff in the first half, but I'd like us to be better than that for long spells," added McInnes, whose side all but sealed their place in the second round.

Viktor Gyokeres' dad 'breaks down in tears' after latest twist in Arsenal move
Viktor Gyokeres' dad 'breaks down in tears' after latest twist in Arsenal move

Metro

timean hour ago

  • Metro

Viktor Gyokeres' dad 'breaks down in tears' after latest twist in Arsenal move

Viktor Gyokeres' proposed move to Arsenal is still hanging in the balance with the striker's father 'in tears' having been left convinced the move will fall through. The Gunners have made the Sweden international their top target to strengthen their front line and have made major progress in efforts to bring him to north London in recent weeks. Gyokeres is desperate to make the move to north London having refused to return to pre-season training with Sporting CP but a fee with the Portuguese giants has still not been agreed. While Arsenal have agreed to pay €63.5 million (£54.9m) up front, Sporting are standing firm over add-on payments. While the clubs do not appear to be far off, A Bola now report 'real pessimism' has emerged over the weekend among those at the centre of negotiations. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. The stalemate has reportedly devastated Gyokeres' family who feel the 26-year-old is doing everything he can to get the move over the line. His father Stefan 'burst into tears' and was left emotionally distraught over the weekend, now believing move will not go through, according to Maisfutebol. The report concludes the risk of the move falling through completely is now high. Sporting's demands over add-on fees have been the source of the frustration. Arsenal have offered a €63.5 million (£54.9m) up front, plus a further €10m (£8.6m) in bonuses. The Gunners are then proposing €5m (£4.3m) plus a further €5m in add-ons but Sporting are demanding €7.5m (£6.4m) as the first payment. Arsenal had hoped to reach an agreement before Mikel Arteta's squad leave London for their pre-season tour of Asia on Saturday. But the squad set off without a deal done and the move still in real doubt. Last weekend, Spring president Frederico Varandas issued a statement warning Arsenal they will not be strong-armed into a deal. 'If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think this puts pressure on me to facilitate an exit, they are not only completely wrong but are also making the player's exit conditions even more complicated,' Varandas said. More Trending 'No one is above the interests of the club, whoever they are. 'If they don't want to pay for Viktor fair market value, we are perfectly comfortable with this for the next three years [the time left on Gyokeres' contract]. 'We are calm about all this. Everything can be resolved with a market closure, a heavy fine, and an apology to the group.' MORE: Ruben Amorim and Patrick Dorgu give verdict on new Man Utd star Diego Leon MORE: Thomas Frank explains why three players missed Tottenham's win over Reading MORE: Eddie Howe teases Arsenal and Liverpool with Alexander Isak transfer update

The Open: McIlroy plots repeat of 2022 six-shot miracle win over Scheffler... as Lowry goes low and Sergio snaps driver
The Open: McIlroy plots repeat of 2022 six-shot miracle win over Scheffler... as Lowry goes low and Sergio snaps driver

Belfast Telegraph

timean hour ago

  • Belfast Telegraph

The Open: McIlroy plots repeat of 2022 six-shot miracle win over Scheffler... as Lowry goes low and Sergio snaps driver

6 minutes ago Back. To. Back. Shane Lowry has started to put some round together as he follows up the birdie on seven with another putt from the fringe from 20 feet for birdie at the eighth! That's four birdies in his last six holes and the 2019 champion is back to where he started the week at E! 8 minutes ago Watch: Sergio's snapped! Sergio Garcia parred the first today to stay on level for the tournament but has snapped his driver out of frustration following a poor tee shot on the second. The Spaniard will now have to complete his final round one club short... as he's not allowed replace it. Oops! Sky Sports Golf on Twitter / X Sergio Garcia snaps his driver in frustration after a poor tee shot on the second hole 😤 Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 20, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 10 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Phil goes back-to-back! The LIV golfer has carded his first under-par nine holes since the front nine on Thursday, making back-to-back birdies on seven and eight for a two-under 34 to climb to +3 for the tournament. The Open on Twitter / X Perfect pace. Pure magic. The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 16 minutes ago Adam McKendry Hair today gone tomorrow Young Fionn McFadden might be the biggest Rory McIlroy fan out here - and he has the haircut to prove it! He's been following Rory all week but has come out this morning to track Shane before the leaders head out on course. "I've had the hair for three days but I'll probably dye it back to normal tomorrow!" he grins. 18 minutes ago Famous follower Glentoran captain and Northern Ireland star Jess Foy is out following Shane Lowry as he delights the crowd once more and evokes a roar as he holes out for birdie from off the back of the seventh green for his third in three holes! He's back to +1! 34 minutes ago Adam McKendry International tournament You forget just how popular this tournament is until you look at the crowd and see people wandering around in gear from all around the world, and one woman following the Lowry group is enthusiastically waving a Danish flag after every shot Jacob Skov Olesen hits. "Lad os gå, Jacob!" she yells. Well, I don't speak Danish, but she yelled something and that looks like what it sounded like to me. As we walk up to the sixth green, a woman passes us with a Norwegian flag looking to get a glimpse of Viktor Hovland in the group behind. All on the north coast of Northern Ireland. Mad. 41 minutes ago "Aw noooo" Shane Lowry can hole out for birdie from 183 yards but he also can't from 19 feet as his birdie putt on the par-four fifth stays above ground. You're always guaranteed a reaction from Lowry and he gives us one as he stays +2 after a disappointing bogey following a good drive. Rory McIlroy beating Scheffler from six shots back? It's happened before... I bring to you another story of hope on this fine Sunday morning. It's late August 2022, and Rory McIlroy is going into the final round of the Tour Championship, six shots behind one Scottie Scheffler. The American has opened the week with rounds of 65 / 66 / 66. He's looking unbeatable. Then on Sunday at East Lake, he opens with a bogey - and follows it up with two more at the fourth and the sixth. A birdie at eight gave him only a momentary reprieve, as he dropped a further shot at 16 to card a three-over-par final round 73. It was a day on which he hit just half the greens in regulations, and only slightly more fairways. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy followed up his Saturday 63 with a four-under-par 66 on Sunday to complete a seven-shot swing and win by one. McIlroy also started with bogey, but had carded four birdies by the turn to reel Scheffler in to just a single shot between them. Two birdies on the back (and one drop shot) was enough to get the job done. After the tournament, Rory apologised to Scottie's parents, but received a gracious response. 'I'm sorry,' he said to Scott and Diane Scheffler. 'He deserves it. He's had an unbelievable year.' Scheffler's father repied: 'So did you. Good playing.' 'Congrats,' added Diane. 'Good job. Great job.' 'What a week, what a day,' stated McIlroy. 'I feel like Scottie deserves at least half of this. He's a hell of a competitor. It was an honour to battle with him." So Scheffler may look rock solid this week so far, but he looked that way at East Lake in 2022 as well... It's not quite over yet. Rory McIlroy hails PGA Tour as 'best place to play' after shock £15m Tour Championship win at East Lake Rory McIlroy has won the end-of-season Tour Championship for the third time in his career, with a sublime fourth round display. 59 minutes ago Adam McKendry Watch: Shane Lowry holes out from 183-yards Lowry thinks he's scrambling just to make par on the fourth after he finds the fairway bunker off the tee and has to splash out... but he holes his third shot from 183 yards! It wasn't quite as loud as Rory's on 12 yesterday but that was a roar from the crowd to wake you up on a Sunday morning! Sky Sports Golf on Twitter / X Shane Lowry with a BRILLIANT 183-yard chip-in at the fourth 🤩 Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 20, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. Today 08:40 AM Gareth Hanna Big names coming up on first tee The grandstands at the first are filling up again this morning and the crowds will have plenty of familiar faces coming through in the next three groups. Jordan Spieth (+1) is up first with Liverpudlian Matthew Jordan (E) alongside Francesco Molinari (+1) following on, and Sergio Garcia (E) playing with 1997 champion Justin Leonard after that. Steady on Shane Shane Lowry proving that the par-three third is definitely a birdie chance as he takes aim, goes straight at the pin that's tucked behind the mound on the left... and sticks it to a foot! Kick in birdie, back to +3! In the group behind, Viktor Hovland has received the luckiest break I have ever seen, pulling his approach shot into the par-five second well left (as in a good 20 yards left), but it clangs off the scoreboard by the green and back into the fairway! Sky Sports Golf on Twitter / X Nearly a hole-in-one on Sunday morning for Shane Lowry ⛳️ Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 20, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. Today 08:24 AM Adam McKendry Shane's struggles continue The par on the first was a solid way to start for the Irishman but he's in trouble on the second despite driving it straight down the middle. He's yanked his second shot into the fescue down the left and his first chip doesn't have the mustard on it and rolls back into the rough. The follow-up chip is good and should be enough to secure the par, but he can't convert the short putt and the crowd sighs as he drops back to +4 early doors. "F**k sake," Lowry fumes. The crowd laughs. He doesn't. Today 08:13 AM Gareth Hanna Some Bryson-spotting, anyone? Bryson DeChambeau reveals famous north coast landmark he's planning to visit during his time at Royal Portrush Golfing giant Bryson DeChambeau was looking forward to a 'fun' experience visiting the Giant's Causeway after shooting a three-under-par 68 in his third round at Royal Portrush. Today 08:11 AM Gareth Hanna The day's first birdie on the board It's a bit of a par-fest out there in the early groups, just one bogey and now one birdie on the cards. It's come for world number 31 Andrew Novak at the first, draining a 13-footer down the slope to the centrally-placed pin. Today 08:03 AM Shane on his way The 2019 champion is teeing off a lot earlier on Sunday this time around than he did six years ago, which will frustrate him, but the Offaly man says he's going to make a point of enjoying himself today so this could be a fun round to go and watch. He's just teed off alongside Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen, who shared the lead after day one, and it looks like the bulk of the early morning crowd are going to be tagging along with him. Can he at least make a charge up the leaderboard and secure a strong finish? He hasn't finished better than 42nd in the Majors this year but hopefully he can improve on that today. Today 07:57 AM Holey moly Another look at the stats on which hole the players are struggling with and which holes they're making hay on. The toughest and easiest holes are unchanged from yesterday, with the 14th causing all sorts of problems playing 0.338 strokes over-par this week, while the short par-five 12th is comfortably the easiest hole on the course as it has only crept closer to the half-a-stroke under-par mark at 0.463 strokes under-par. It's the definition of a par-four-and-a-half. There's some small changes in the rankings below that, with an easy pin position on 11 yesterday moving it to third in the list below the fourth in the toughest hole rankings, with the first and 16th swapping in fourth and fifth. On the easiest side, the par-five seventh played downwind which led to more eagles on Saturday, so it leaps up to second in the rankings above the par-five second, with the driveable par-four fifth and downhill par-four 17th staying put at fourth and fifth in the rankings respectively. Toughest holes 1. 14th, Par-4 (+0.338) SAME 2. 4th, Par-4 (+0.259) UP 1 3. 11th, Par-4 (+0.249) DOWN 1 4. 1st, Par-4 (+0.230) UP 1 5. 16th, Par-3 (+0.228) DOWN 1 Easiest holes 1. 12th, Par-5 (-0.463) SAME 2. 7th, Par-5 (-0.280) UP 1 3. 2nd, Par-5 (-0.249) DOWN 1 4. 5th, Par-4 (-0.136) SAME 5. 17th, Par-4 (-0.081) SAME Today 07:51 AM Gareth Hanna Honest Matt as Scheffler's record is ominous You have to respect Matt Fitzpatrick (-9)'s honesty here. He's saying what every other player in the field is thinking as Scottie Scheffler holds a four shot lead going into today's final round. Scheffler has never blown a 54-hole major lead, though. All three of his wins have come after being atop the board on Saturday night. 2022 Masters: Led by three / won by three after shooting -1 2024 Masters: Led by one / won by four after shooting -4 2025 PGA Championship: Led by three / won by five after shooting level par Christopher Powers on Twitter / X Todd lewis asked Matt Fitzpatrick what he's expecting from Scottie Scheffler tomorrow 'Well, hopefully a blowup.'We respect an honest 👑 Christopher Powers (@CPowers14) July 19, 2025 Today 07:43 AM Adam McKendry Today 07:29 AM Adam McKendry We are officially under way For the second straight day, Germany's Matti Schmid hits the opening tee shot of the round and with that, day four of The Open Championship is officially under way! Today 07:09 AM Time for a birdie-fest? Here are today's hole locations. Now I am no pro, so I certainly wouldn't be firing at any of these pins, but it really does look like some of these flags are very gettable today. Are we in for some low scores as a result? Load more Live Blog Software

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store