Claudio Braga expects Derek McInnes to receive a hostile welcome when he returns to Tynecastle on Wednesday night, describing it as the inevitable “consequence” of leaving Hearts for Rangers four months ago.
Last season, the 55-year-old guided the Gorgie side to within three minutes of winning their first Scottish title since 1960.
However, after only one season in the capital, McInnes was recruited by his former club to replace Danny Rohl. He subsequently made the move along the M8 to Govan, joining Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin at Rangers.
Braga insists the players McInnes managed at Hearts still hold him in the highest regard after their near-miss in the title race. Nevertheless, the Portuguese forward understands why supporters could view the departures differently.
“Yes, I think so, and I understand why to a certain extent,” he said.
“We shared a dressing room with them and know them personally. I couldn’t suddenly hate them simply because they left the club. Professionally, that is what footballers have to do. It was their choice, and I could never judge them for it.
Rangers manager Derek McInnes is likely to face a hostile reception on his return to Gorgie this week
Hearts forward Claudio Braga expects McInnes to face the “consequences” at Tynecastle
Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin also left Hearts for Rangers during the summer
“But I expect the atmosphere to be intense for them. That was their decision, so now they have to deal with the consequences. I think they knew that when they left.
“Our priority, though, has to be the match and not everything happening around it.”
McInnes’ Hearts side led the Premiership for much of the season before being overtaken in the closing stages. They came closer than any team since Aberdeen in 1985 to ending the Old Firm’s dominance of the Scottish title.
Having shared a campaign that delivered considerably more highs than lows, Braga says McInnes remains highly respected within the Hearts dressing room.
“Personally, I really like Derek,” the forward said. “I have nothing negative to say about him, Shanks or Cammy. I shared an incredible year with them and love them as people. It will be good to see them, but I have nothing but affection for them.
“We had such a special season, even though it ended as it did.
“When you have a difficult year, perhaps the relationships do not become as strong. But during a season like that, you become a family. The bonds are naturally created, and I hope we can build the same kind of unity this year.”
Wouter Vrancken’s side returned to winning form at Motherwell on Sunday, with Braga and Calvin Miller scoring to secure Hearts’ first league victory away from Edinburgh since January.
The win came despite a lengthy injury list, and Braga believes the difficult circumstances surrounding Hearts are strengthening the team’s siege mentality.
“Every time you look around, another player is missing,” he said. “But if we step on to the pitch as we did on Sunday and fight for one another, that is what matters.
“Of course, it is difficult when you see so many injuries and lose players who are used to playing every week. You have to adapt and develop an understanding with new teammates. But we cannot use that as an excuse.”
Following defeats by Celtic and Trabzonspor, Braga felt Sunday’s result came at an especially important moment.
“Definitely,” he said. “After those two results, particularly the league defeat, it was important to respond.
“We stayed together, battled as a family and that made a huge difference. There will be days when you play well, and days when you do not. Sometimes you have to be tough, fight for every ball and find a way to win. That is exactly what we did.”
