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Paulo Sergio - the last manager to lead Hearts to silverware - has called for calm heads from the "nervous" support as the club close in on a first top-flight title in 66 years.
The 58-year-old Portuguese has remained an avid Hearts fan since his year in charge, which culminated in the 5-1 rout of Hibernian in 2012 to lift the Scottish Cup.
Sergio was at back Tynecastle for Saturday's 1-0 home win over Dundee but detected a tension in the stands.
"At the moment I think there is a lot of stress because of the great opportunity they have in their hands," he said.
"I would like the fans to control their stress and do their part. Sing more, support more, believe even more because with this great chance, everybody in the stand is very nervous, so sometimes they forget the role that they have to do.
"I think they need to keep positive and singing for the team, that will help the boys a lot. Also the boys need to focus on what they have to do. Don't be thinking about the position because sometimes this brings stress.
"Sometimes you go on the pitch thinking, 'what happens if we don't win and the other teams win?'.
"And this doesn't allow you to have a clear mind and perform. Just be focused on what you can control, which is your performance, and the points will come naturally."
Sergio says Hearts - three points clear of Rangers and five ahead of Celtic with seven games remaining - deserve to end 40 years of Old Firm title dominance.
"I don't see other ones doing better," he said. "The team has been in first place all season. In my opinion, they deserve to stay there until the end.
"It's a season where Celtic and Rangers are not performing at the level we are used to seeing. But credit to Hearts, they have almost 70 points. This speaks about what Derek [McInnes] and all the people involved are doing.
"I hope they can keep this run and make some history for the club."
Sergio admits he was not aware of countryman Claudio Braga until the impressive Portuguese forward's Hearts switch last summer.
"I'm very happy with that," he said of 15-goal Braga.
"I didn't know the boy before but now he's at Hearts, I'm aware of the capacity of Claudio and I wish him the best.
"Normally our TV in Portugal shows Celtic or Rangers, but this season, they are showing the games of Hearts too. Then people start knowing Braga here in Portugal and start speaking about him. He will be remembered forever if we keep this position."
[BBC]
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The 58-year-old Portuguese has remained an avid Hearts fan since his year in charge, which culminated in the 5-1 rout of Hibernian in 2012 to lift the Scottish Cup.
Sergio was at back Tynecastle for Saturday's 1-0 home win over Dundee but detected a tension in the stands.
"At the moment I think there is a lot of stress because of the great opportunity they have in their hands," he said.
"I would like the fans to control their stress and do their part. Sing more, support more, believe even more because with this great chance, everybody in the stand is very nervous, so sometimes they forget the role that they have to do.
"I think they need to keep positive and singing for the team, that will help the boys a lot. Also the boys need to focus on what they have to do. Don't be thinking about the position because sometimes this brings stress.
"Sometimes you go on the pitch thinking, 'what happens if we don't win and the other teams win?'.
"And this doesn't allow you to have a clear mind and perform. Just be focused on what you can control, which is your performance, and the points will come naturally."
Sergio says Hearts - three points clear of Rangers and five ahead of Celtic with seven games remaining - deserve to end 40 years of Old Firm title dominance.
"I don't see other ones doing better," he said. "The team has been in first place all season. In my opinion, they deserve to stay there until the end.
"It's a season where Celtic and Rangers are not performing at the level we are used to seeing. But credit to Hearts, they have almost 70 points. This speaks about what Derek [McInnes] and all the people involved are doing.
"I hope they can keep this run and make some history for the club."
Sergio admits he was not aware of countryman Claudio Braga until the impressive Portuguese forward's Hearts switch last summer.
"I'm very happy with that," he said of 15-goal Braga.
"I didn't know the boy before but now he's at Hearts, I'm aware of the capacity of Claudio and I wish him the best.
"Normally our TV in Portugal shows Celtic or Rangers, but this season, they are showing the games of Hearts too. Then people start knowing Braga here in Portugal and start speaking about him. He will be remembered forever if we keep this position."
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[BBC]
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