Sir Alex, ‘unbelievable’ Braga & Tynecastle keep Hearts on course

If you’re aiming to become the first team other than Celtic and Rangers to win a Scottish top-flight title in 41 years, you can do worse than invite the last man to achieve such a feat to come and see how you’re getting on.

Sir Alex Ferguson was the guest of honour as Hearts saw off the challenge of Aberdeen and moved seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with nine games to play.

It was Ferguson’s Aberdeen side that, in 1985, won the Scottish Premier Division before 40 seasons of Glasgow dominance, which began with Hearts’ heart-breaking final-day loss of the league to Celtic in 1986.

Indeed Ferguson, 84, was a player in his native Scotland when Hearts last won the top flight in 1960.

Hearts manager Derek McInnes, formerly in charge at Aberdeen, has previously spoken about his discussions with Ferguson this season. Whatever remarks have been exchanged, they’ve clearly worked up until now.

“We got him a nice bottle to take home with him but he opened it already,” McInnes said of former Manchester United and Scotland boss Ferguson.

A 1-0 home win – their second on the bounce – may not look overly convincing but Hearts were good value for the three points and rarely looked in danger of conceding to Aberdeen.

Scorer Claudio Braga told BBC Scotland post-match: “With the stands behind us, the players gave everything and we just won.

“Now we’re getting to a point with maybe just a little bit more tension. We feel it from the stands a little bit. It’s normal.

“At the same time, we know we can do this. That goal probably gets the stands even more relieved of tension and behind us even more. They were amazing.”

Portuguese former Aalesunds forward Braga is emblematic of Hearts’ season – a relative unknown plucked from Norwegian football. He has scored 15 goals in 35 appearances.

Earlier in the season Greek Alexandros Kyziridis, signed from Slovakia’s Zemplin Michalovce, made headlines and, until recently, McInnes’ former Kilmarnock defender Stuart Findlay had been an ever present since his summer move.

McInnes singled Braga out for praise after the win against Aberdeen and also said “this week will good for him” as he the striker manages a groin issue and Hearts not in action again until 14 March.

Challenges remain. Hearts will play high-flying Motherwell twice before the season’s end. They will likely travel to Celtic Park and Edinburgh rivals Hibernian’s Easter Road after the split and host Rangers, who beat them at Ibrox earlier this month.

Former Hearts player Ryan Stevenson was on punditry duty as part of BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound commentary and echoed Braga and McInnes’ sentiments.

“The atmosphere is unbelievable,” he said. “What you would give to be a player on that pitch just now,” he said.

And, afterwards, he proclaimed: “I think Hearts will win the league. I genuinely do.

“I cannot see Hearts buckling. I cannot see Hearts losing three or four games.

“I just can’t see Hearts losing the title now.”

Rangers are second, two points above Celtic, who have a game in hand. Those two teams meet at Ibrox on Sunday so, one way or another, Hearts’ seven-point advantage will be reduced by weekends’ end.

And Celtic travel to Aberdeen on Wednesday to play their game in hand.

Studio pundit, former Hearts player Michael Stewart, is similarly minded to Stevenson.

“I do think with every game that’s ticked off, there’s an extra level of pressure but equally I think there’s an extra level of belief. They almost counter each other.