Claudio Braga told Sky Sports News that the Hearts squad has been brimming with confidence about winning the Scottish Premiership for much of this extraordinary season. The Jamboes have consistently sat at the top of the table, currently three points ahead of defending champions Celtic, with Rangers a further point back. Braga, who is in the running for the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year award, believes the club’s first league crown since 1960 is now within reach.
"We just wanted to take it one match at a time, and that mindset was crucial," the Portuguese forward explained. "Now we understand that if we keep winning every game, the title is ours.
That’s what the city, the club and the supporters are all expecting." He added that composure will be key as Hearts head into a pivotal fixture on Monday night against Rangers. "We need to stay calm, and we have a very important game on Monday, and we hope to walk away with three points," Braga said, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming clash. "We started to believe a long time ago, but we couldn’t say it out loud.
Now, with only four games left, the responsibility is on us," he continued, underscoring the pressure but also the belief that has been building throughout the campaign. The 26‑year‑old striker arrived at Hearts from Norwegian second‑division side Aalesunds last summer and has already become the club’s leading scorer this season, netting 17 goals to date.
His journey to the heart of Edinburgh’s attack was not straightforward. "When I first came, I wondered if I could even win any silverware, maybe just fight for a top‑three finish," Braga recalled. "That was my realistic expectation when I signed – to earn a place in the team and contribute." He admitted that adapting to the Scottish game was a major step up. "I wasn’t even sure whether I would start.
The level was different from what I was used to, so it was a big leap for me," he said. Yet the season has far exceeded his initial hopes.
"I never imagined we would be in this position. It’s a huge surprise, and I’m incredibly grateful for it." Hearts’ next league encounter is a home showdown with Rangers on 4 May, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The match is expected to be a decisive moment in the title race, with both clubs aware that a slip could hand the championship to the other. Beyond the immediate drama, the Scottish Premiership is also gearing up for its end‑of‑season awards.
Fans are being invited to vote for the Goal of the Season, with a shortlist that includes Aberdeen’s Marko Lazetic, Celtic’s Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, Hyun‑Jun Yang and Sebastian Tounekti, Dundee’s Ethan Hamilton, Dundee United’s Zac Sapsford, Falkirk’s Kyrell Wilson, Hearts’ Alex Kyziridis, Kilmarnock’s Ben Brannan, and Rangers’ duo Jayden Meghoma and Youssef Chermiti. The voting platform offers supporters a chance to celebrate the most spectacular strike of the campaign. In addition to the football action, the league’s commercial partners are promoting a Super 6 competition that promises a £250,000 prize pool, encouraging fans to engage with the sport in a new way. The promotion is free to enter and adds an extra layer of excitement as the season draws to a close.
Overall, Braga’s comments capture the blend of humility and ambition that defines Hearts this year. The team’s steady climb to the summit, combined with the individual brilliance of players like Braga, has transformed a club that once only dreamed of a top‑three finish into genuine title contenders. With only a handful of games remaining, the Jamboes must maintain their focus, manage the pressure, and continue to deliver the performances that have brought them this far. If they can keep their composure and secure the points needed, the long‑awaited league triumph could finally be theirs, ending a 66‑year wait and delivering a historic moment for the city of Edinburgh.