Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken expects Claudio Braga to remain with the club and believes another full season at Tynecastle could improve the striker’s prospects of earning a major transfer.
The Belgian said the 26-year-old remains completely committed and focused on his role at Hearts.
Asked whether the Portuguese forward would still be with the club after Thursday’s transfer deadline, Vrancken laughed and said he was confident enough to bet on Braga staying.
However, he acknowledged that circumstances can change and expressed hope that Hearts would retain a player who brings considerable value to the squad.
Braga has registered two goals and three assists across 10 appearances this season. He scored 17 times during his debut campaign in Edinburgh after arriving from Norway’s second division.
Vrancken described Braga as an important and talented player who responds well to coaching and consistently puts the team’s interests first, giving the manager another strong reason to keep him.
He also suggested that remaining at Hearts could benefit Braga by allowing him to demonstrate his ability within a different tactical system. Leading clubs, he explained, usually want more evidence than one successful season in a particular style.
According to Vrancken, proving that his performances are consistent rather than a one-off, while succeeding in various systems and positions, would strengthen Braga’s profile and potentially attract interest from a wider selection of clubs.
Hearts have undergone significant changes during the summer, with Vrancken succeeding Derek McInnes and 14 players joining to offset 12 departures.
Ahead of Thursday’s derby against Hibernian at Easter Road, the head coach said he would not consider the squad completely settled because transfer situations can change in the final moments of the window.
He added that discussions about possible arrivals and departures remain ongoing.
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