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Hearts' Premiership triumph would inspire others - Braga
TL;DR
Hearts forward Claudio Braga believes that winning the Premiership would inspire growth in Scottish football and encourage other teams. The club currently leads the league by three points with four games remaining, aiming to break a 41-year streak of dominance by Celtic and Rangers.
Key points
- Hearts leads the Premiership by three points.
- Four games remain in the season.
- Hearts could end a 41-year dominance by Celtic and Rangers.
- Braga emphasizes the inspirational aspect of their potential victory.
- Hearts is known for their fighting spirit on the pitch.
Mentioned in this story
Claudio Braga
HeartsPremiership
Hearts forward Claudio Braga believes title success for the Tynecastle club would help Scottish football grow - and inspire other teams to believe they could also enjoy Premiership glory.
The Edinburgh side hold a three-point lead at the top of the Premiership with four games left and are on course to become the first team outside of Celtic or Rangers to win the league in 41 years.
"I feel like it's been a beautiful story," Braga said. "Around Europe, even the world, people are looking [at Hearts] and they enjoy it. It's always a good story when somebody that is not supposed to win does good stuff.
"Hearts are a team that is known for playing with their heart and are like a family on the pitch. It's not like we are the team that plays the most beautiful football. We are just the team that fights the most and I feel that means everything is possible, even against big money.
"Everybody loves a good story. I'm Portuguese, I don't know that much about Scottish football but I know enough to know that it would probably help Scottish football in a way [if Hearts won the league].
"People would look more at Scottish football if it's not only going to be Celtic or Rangers winning. Even for the other teams in the league, they will not go to the next year thinking, 'oh, it's going to be Celtic or Rangers'.
"If we do it, they will probably think, 'we can do it also', so that would help Scottish football to get to a bigger level."
Braga's own contribution to the title push has earned him a nomination for PFA Premiership player of the year, but his focus is to make sure he and his team-mates are remembered for years to come.
"You want to make history, not only in football, but in life," he said. "You want to be remembered, and that's something that probably would happen if we win the league.
"I think every single one of us would be remembered forever, so that's something that you just really want to achieve. Not just as a football player, but as a person. That would be just such a good achievement."
[BBC]
Q&A
How many points ahead is Hearts in the Premiership?
Hearts currently holds a three-point lead at the top of the Premiership.
When was the last time a team outside Celtic or Rangers won the Premiership?
It has been 41 years since a team other than Celtic or Rangers won the Premiership.
What impact would Hearts winning the league have on Scottish football?
Claudio Braga believes that Hearts' title success would inspire other teams and contribute to the growth of Scottish football.