Heart of Midlothian

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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."

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Derek McInnes "doesn't get enough credit" for Hearts' transformation into title frontrunners this season, says Chris Sutton.

The Tynecastle side have topped the table for much of the campaign and hold a three-point lead over Celtic with four games remaining.

Should Hearts beat third-place Rangers at Tynecastle on Monday, the Ibrox side will be seven points off the pace.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former Celtic striker Sutton said: "Hearts just find a way to win. Their home record is phenomenal.

"You talk about pivotal games: if Hearts beat Rangers, essentially I think that is Rangers out of it.

"Derek McInnes, their manager, doesn't get enough credit. Everybody talks about Tony Bloom and the investment and the players they've signed. I do get that. But Derek McInnes has still found a way to navigate his team to this point.

"The Hearts story is brilliant because the question has always been: well, can it continue? Can this run continue? Can they get over the line? They've got four games now.

"I've been consistent in saying Hearts would go the distance and find a way. But anything could happen."

Except, according to the former Parkhead favourite, a 14th Celtic title triumph in 15 years.

"I still don't think Celtic can win it and I'm having these arguments regularly with everybody because eventually performances do come into it," Sutton added.

"Each team is capable of not winning another game. It's just the nature of the way it's been this season.

"The teams going for the title, the three of them don't win most weekends and that's what's intriguing."

Read more: Rangers have more chance of title than Celtic - Sutton

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Hearts and Motherwell dominate the PFA Scotland Premiership player of the year shortlist - but who can feel unfortunate to miss out?

Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland plus Motherwell midfielder Elijah Just and attacker Tawanda Maswanhise are the quartet vying for the award.

"Motherwell's Elliot Watt, I think he'll feel a bit hard done by and unlucky," said The Herald football writer Stephen McGowan on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think he's been excellent, just a revelation.

"And he is one you would imagine other clubs will be taking a close look at because you go back to this issue about Benjamin Nygren, for example, or Nicolas Raskin. They float in and out, they influence some games. They don't control games consistently in a way I think that Watt has in midfield.

"[Hearts'] Harry Milne has also had a really good season. He's been pretty consistent all over the piece, but I don't think you can have any real major complaints about the four.

"They've got it just about right."

We asked for your thoughts on who should win PFA Scotland's player of the year with Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga both making the shortlist.

Here's what some of you said:

Chris: Braga presents himself as a fine person on and off the field and I think he will be miles ahead of everyone else when picking up this award. He kept us in the title fight when Shankland was injured and his individual skill level is fantastic!

Steve: Braga is elevated with Shankland on the pitch and Shankland is enjoying playing with a true talent in Braga so I see them being one and two in the running for the award - but Braga should pinch it. He's been a breath of fresh air for Scottish football.

Alison: What a season, so far! Braga not only has the skill, composure and workrate to be considered Scottish football's player of the year but having met the man in person a few times - he's one of the good ones. A big move for him will come in the summer and he's earned every inch of it!

Jim: It has to be Braga for player of the season. Plucked from the obscurity of the Norwegian lower leagues to the potential of winning a Scottish Premiership winner's medal is the real story. His all-round ability, tireless workrate, goalscoring and providing skillset has lit up many matches in many grounds this season. He also stepped up when Shankland was injured and did more than most to keep Hearts' league challenge alive.

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Hearts' Blair Spittal described scoring Sunday's crucial Edinburgh derby winner as by far the best feeling of his career.

The 30-year-old midfielder came off the bench to net a priceless goal to secure three vital points for the Scottish Premiership leaders at nine-man Hibernian.

The strike marked a first goal of the season for Spittal, opening up a three-point lead at the top of the table.

"It's an unbelievable feeling," he Spittal. "Obviously, with the timing of the season and whatnot, it just felt nice to get a win at Easter Road.

"I just noticed that there was a wee bit of space at the edge of the box and I'd just hold it and wait for the pass.

"The weight of the pass made me think I needed to hit it first time. Obviously, it took a tiny deflection, but seeing it hit the back of the net is hands down the best feeling I've had in my career. It was amazing.

"It could [be a massive moment], time will tell. We've got four massive games coming up now, so you don't really know what that could do for us, but it's put us in a great position now to kick it on."

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John Beaton has been confirmed as the referee for the huge meeting of title rivals Hearts and Rangers at Tynecastle on Monday.

Andrew Dallas will be on VAR duties while Beaton is assisted by David McGeachie and Jonathan Bell.

Hearts remain unbeaten at Tynecastle in the Premiership this season and a home victory would put them seven points clear of Rangers with three games remaining.

Beaton has presided over four Hearts games this term - none of which Derek McInnes' side have won. Three were draws - against Motherwell, Dundee United and Kilmarnock - plus a 3-2 derby defeat at Easter Road.

This will also be Beaton's fifth match in charge of Rangers, with the Ibrox side having won three and drawn one.

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

At what point does the seemingly unthinkable prospect of Hearts winning the Scottish Premiership become, well, thinkable?

I know, I know: us Jambos are conditioned to prepare for the worst and only dream of the best. But with 360 minutes of football left, there's a genuine belief we can actually become champions.

After victory at Easter Road nudged us even closer to the finishing line, you can forgive folk in Gorgie for getting a bit giddy.

Beating Hibs has felt like the expected outcome for most of my lifetime; winning titles absolutely hasn't. And, to be fair, I've got to hand it to our near neighbours for being so hospitable to us down in Leith.

When Hibs magnanimously spent so long with nine men - and even diverted two of our efforts into their own net - you start to wonder if everyone bar Old Firm supporters wants us to end a 66-year top-flight title drought.

This season in the Edinburgh derbies we've made a habit of scoring late and this Hearts side carries a calmness that hasn't always been there in recent years.

That confidence comes from what Derek McInnes and this squad have shown over the past 10 months, right back to the League Cup group stage in July.

The growth has been phenomenal: an eclectic mix of well-kent faces from Scottish football, plus the Jamestown Analytics algorithm throwing up players from all sorts of places, like Italy's Serie D for Sabah Kerjota. Everyone has played their part and the team has improved as the season reaches its crescendo.

Kerjota is the sort of player who, if we win the league, will become a cult hero. He remarkably still hasn't started a match, but has helped win us five points in two games against Hibs.

Three magnificent assists have come from the right-hand side - all of them a familiar cutback on to that majestic left foot.

There's plenty of stardust in this Hearts side with players who grab the headlines, but Stephen Kingsley deserves enormous credit. He's been plagued by niggly injuries over the past few seasons and was understudy to James Penrice last term, yet when he plays he makes a massive difference, on and off the pitch.

In the 20 games the defender has played across all competitions this season, we've only lost one (the 3-2 defeat at Easter Road).

The good news heading into the seismic visit of Rangers on Monday is we have options, including players on the bench who can change a game.

It's a proper selection headache for McInnes. And if we do win it, it's hard to see how Rangers' title hopes survive.

Our real trump card is simple: the best strike pairing in the country in Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland. It's no surprise to see both on the PFA player of the year shortlist.

If pushed to choose one, I'd go for Braga. Shanks has won it before - and if Braga winning the award adds a few million to a summer price tag, no one in maroon will be complaining.

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Hearts will aim to turn the Scottish Premiership title chase into a two-horse race when they host Rangers next Monday, says captain Lawrence Shankland.

The league leaders will move seven points clear of the Ibrox side with three games remaining if they beat Danny Rohl's men at Tynecastle.

A late derby win at Easter Road on Sunday further strengthened Hearts' position after Rangers lost at home to Motherwell.

Shankland said of the crucial clash against Rangers: "It does have a wee bit of a cup final feel about it. If we were to win, it would become pretty difficult for Rangers to win the league, just based on the number of games left to play.

"If it becomes a two-horse race after that, you've got even more chance of winning it. So it'll be a big game - the build-up to it will be huge.

"If we win the game, we increase our chances of winning the league. That's the most important thing for us."

Celtic are three points behind, with Hearts still to visit Parkhead on the final day.

However, Hearts have taken seven points off the reigning champions this season, as well as beating Rangers twice.

"What Celtic do have is the experience," Shankland added. "Obviously, winning leagues in the past is something they have over us.

"We've had a lot of success against the teams we're about to play in the remaining games of the season. We've got a good points return against them.

"We just need to continue to do that, bring the best version of ourselves, and we can win games - we've shown that."

ARE HEARTS DESTINED TO WIN THE TITLE? 🏆

It was a seismic weekend in the hunt for the Scottish Premiership crown. Are you rejoicing, are you quietly optimistic, or are you chucking it?

Join the debate with Ray Bradshaw at 18:00 BST TONIGHT on the BBC Sport Scottish Football YouTube channel, external to give us your views in the chat. The show is fully interactive, so have your say.

Remember to like and subscribe to not miss it!

Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga have been recognised for their stellar seasons for Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts by being shortlisted for PFA Scotland's player of the year.

Shankland could claim the prize for the second time after winning the award two years ago for a standout 2023-24 campaign.

Despite enduring a spell out with injury, the Hearts captain has managed to score 13 goals and provide four assists in 25 league games.

Meanwhile, summer signing Braga has featured in each of his side's 34 league matches, scoring 14 times and setting up another five in an impressive debut season in Scotland.

With the duo nominated alongside Motherwell attackers Tawanda Maswanhise and Elijah Just, who are you backing to win the prize and why? Send us your thoughts.

Hearts will believe they are destined to win the Scottish Premiership title after Sunday's dramatic winner against Hibernian, according to Scotland legend James McFadden.

Blair Spittal's late goal earned Derek McInnes' side a 2-1 win at Easter Road and took them three points clear of Celtic at the top of the table.

They host third-place Rangers next Monday - a game which McFadden says is crucial for maintaining their feel-good factor.

"People have been waiting for Hearts to bottle it all season," McFadden said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"There's no way they're going to bottle it. Even if Hearts don't win the league, it's not because they've bottled it. They've dealt with pressure.

"Every team's dealt with injuries, but Hearts at the top of the table have dealt with people expecting them to drop results, performances - they've expected them to fall away and they're still there.

"I think they'll start to believe it's written for them. I just think they'll feel that things have fallen into place for them, that they've got the momentum, the impetus to go and take advantage of it.

"If they win next week, they can almost put Rangers to the side because then Celtic need to play Rangers and they will be hoping probably for a draw

"For Hearts to maintain the kind of feeling, they'll feel like they have to win against Rangers next week."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

GK: Jerome Prior - Livingston

Five big saves of every variety to keep St Mirren at bay as Livingston finally earned a long-awaited victory.

RB: Stephen O'Donnell - Motherwell

Having a wonderful season under Jens Berthel Askou. Asked to play on the left and wasn't an issue. Two assists for the former Scotland international, who can easily slot into right-back for me here.

CB: Ryan McGowan - Livingston

Did all the unfashionable graft a centre-back has to do at times to earn his side a seldom seen three points.

CB: Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Seven goals for club and country this season. Another rasper against Falkirk.

LB: Emmanuel Longelo - Motherwell

Unleashed in a further forward role than left-back, but he can slot in there easily for me here. What a player he has been all season. Two huge goals as Motherwell underlined their kingmaker credentials in this incredible title race.

CM: Blair Spittal - Hearts

Off the bench to score what could be one of the most pivotal winners of the season for Hearts at Easter Road.

CM: Callum Slattery - Motherwell

Back from suspension and exemplified the quality Motherwell showed in abundance at Ibrox.

RW: Sabah Kerjota - Hearts

The Albanian was a game-changer as Derek McInnes brought him on to find the path through the stubborn Hibs defence. Kerjota duly delivered, not once but twice. His contribution to the Hearts title push was immense.

AM: Martin Boyle - Hibernian

In his last Edinburgh derby he took his goal superbly, couldn't have caught it any sweeter.

LW: Will Ferry - Dundee United

Hadn't scored a single goal for Dundee United until his strike against Celtic a few weeks ago. Now he can't stop. Great work rate and quality again from the wide man as he made all the difference in the Dundee derby.

ST: Daizen Maeda - Celtic

Like a phoenix rising from the flames, is Maeda rising at just the right time to fire Celtic to the title? Celtic's opening two goals came from his tenacity and pressing, and their third - Maeda's second - was instinctive striker play.

We asked for your thoughts after Hearts struck late to beat nine-man Hibs in Sunday's Edinburgh derby.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Frank: Sabah Kerjota could be the trump card for us in the run in. He brings a freshness of approach and other sides haven't had the opportunity to work him out. His passes and crosses have lots of variety which make him difficult for the opposition to read.

Marc: Frantic and frenetic - a huge win. Kerjota the difference today with two assists. Again the little man stepping up in huge games. Four cup finals left. Let's get it over the line and write these player's names in footballing folklore.

Noah: It was a good win to say the least. Maybe a bit sloppy at times with the final ball, but a bit of luck from the Hibs defence and a good strike from Spittal. Four games to go - believe!

Tam: The most important three points of my 64 years supporting Hearts. A fantastic result against a Hibs side who I have to admit played incredibly well despite being the masters of their own downfall. I hope Hibs win their last four games and finish fourth!

Bruce: Been watching Hearts for over 30 years and that game on Sunday was the first time I've ever felt physically sick. Credit to the players for grinding away. Thankfully we got the luck we needed and the win I felt we were good for. It will be strange wanting Hibs to win next week though.

Leaders Hearts' higher win ratio against Scottish Premiership top-six sides encourages manager Derek McInnes with four games left to play. (Record), external

McInnes hopes a strain picked up by midfielder Cammy Devlin is "nothing too serious". (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Monday's Scottish gossip

Hearts eventually saw off nine-man Hibernian in a chaotic Edinburgh derby to restore their cushion at the top of the Scottish Premiership to three points after another frantic weekend in the title race.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "Obviously, very unusual in the sense that you don't practice playing against nine men.

"We started the game quite well but we were sloppy with a free header at the back post, just a lack of concentration. We had it all to do.

"It's just a hopeful ball from Stephen Kingsley. Pierre Landry Kabore chases it and all of a something, it becomes something and obviously the keeper's handled it.

"Kabore was there for that reason, just to try and threaten the space in behind Hibs' back lot. Such a big moment in the game.

"Sabah Kerjota, it's perfect for him in a game like this when you know you're going to have a lot more of the ball because he is somebody who has got that guile, creativity, confidence in the final bit.

"Blair Spittal playing as an auxiliary right-back. You're just trying everything as a manager to try and make this go your way. It took a bit longer than we thought.

"When you need a big moment, your captain's there for you and we're so dependent on him, Lawrence Shankland and the bit of quality to get the equaliser. That came at the right time.

"It's all about can someone come up with the big moment? Blair Spittal scores goals like that every day in training. He's got such good quality of finishing. He should score more goals. A lot of people could slap that and snatch at it. He keeps his knee over the ball, stays calm, side foots it and it could be such an important goal.

"It's an advantage for Celtic and ourselves because we've won our games this weekend and Rangers didn't but there's another round of fixtures coming up so it can quickly change. Nothing gets decided today.

"A win in your first game [after the split] can give you confidence and impetus. The fact that we've beaten Rangers at Tynecastle already, we're unbeaten at home all season, we're confident with our work and what we do at Tynecastle.

"We know it's going to be some atmosphere. You're up against good players and good players who believe they can go and win a title as well.

"I was happy with the split fixtures and how they arrived, that we didn't have two away games back to back. Two home games, we knew we'd have to get anyway so I'd rather they were split they way they're split. We knew we'd have to win an away game. somewhere along the line and winning here, it does us no harm at all.

"It's one win ticked off, it's one round of fixtures, it counts for nothing if we can't go and back it up now."

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• Hibernian have won both of their past two home league games against Hearts; they had won just one of their previous nine home Edinburgh derbies in the Scottish Premiership before this (D4 L4).

• After their 1-0 win in February, Hearts are looking to win back-to-back Scottish Premiership meetings with rivals Hibs for the first time since April 2014; this is the 28th top-flight game between the two sides since then.

• Hibs remain unbeaten in nine home league games (W6 D3), keeping a clean sheet in their last three; they haven't recorded four successive home shutouts in the top flight since December 2009 under John Hughes.

• Hearts are the first non-Old Firm club (Celtic/Rangers) to earn 70+ points in a Scottish Premiership season since Aberdeen in 2017-18 (73), while it's Hearts' most in a top-flight campaign since 2005-06 (74).

• Hearts are winless in their past four away league games (D1 L3), this after only failing to win four of their first 12 on the road in 2025-26 beforehand (W8 D2 L2).

Lawrence Shankland has reminded his Hearts team-mates that there are just three weeks standing between them and the greatest achievement of their careers as they prepare to head to Hibernian in a seismic Edinburgh derby. (Daily Record), external