Derek McInnes, former Hearts boss, smiling at Tynecastle Park next to Claudio Braga, who is warming up in a training jacket.

Derek McInnes and Claudio Braga Imago

Everything Derek McInnes has said about Claudio Braga as Rangers plot final coup de grace to Hearts

Correspondent AUTHORITY Sports journalist with experience at the Northern Echo and Durham Cricket Club; Teesside University graduate. FOCUS Long-form opinion and deep-dive content across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Jacob utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, analytical reporting. He provides in-depth opinion and insight to ensure fans get beyond the headlines and into the detail.

Published on:

12 Jul 2026, 4:40 pm

Derek McInnes could deliver the final blow to Hearts amid speculation of Rangers' move for Claudio Braga.

The Bears took Lawrence Shankland from the Jambos before the summer window even opened, and nobody would have expected what was to follow soon after.

Reports emerged that Danny Rohl wanted to join RB Salzburg, which then prompted Andrew Cavenagh and Co. to move swiftly for McInnes.

The 54-year-old returned to Ibrox and, after already being reunited with Shankland, has now stolen Cammy Devlin from Tynecastle Park.

There have been some suggestions to say that the Gers are building too much of a squad that is close to Hearts' failure from last season, but they could now be moving on to their biggest star of them all.

Rangers are reportedly eyeing a move for Braga, in a transfer that would surely leave Hearts fans with nothing left to say.

What Derek McInnes has said about Claudio Braga amid Rangers links

Braga is said to be aware of Rangers' interest in him, with other clubs like Ipswich Town, Trabzonspor and Olympique Lyon also in the queue for his signature.

Finances would most likely not be an issue for Cavenagh and Co., especially if the likes of Nicolas Raskin and Connor Barron leave this window.

But if the Bears were to sign the striker, they could reunite Shankland with his goal-scoring partner, who almost led the Jambos to a historic title win last season.

McInnes is a big fan of the 26-year-old and will know all about his qualities after watching him score 14 league goals last campaign.

Speaking about Braga after Shankland got injured last season, the former Hearts boss said, as quoted by the Daily Record in February: "Yeah, I think Claudio's taken a wee bit extra onus with Lawrence being out.

"I do think that extra bit of responsibility, I think he has taken that on, as have others.

"Claudio's having a good season; we've got so many who are having strong seasons, but the season doesn't stop now. We've got to crack on with it."

The comments came after Hearts' 4-2 loss to Rangers last season, but Braga's first-half performance was still hailed as "sensational" by the Daily Record, grabbing a goal and an assist before Youssef Chermiti's hat-trick turned the contest around.

McInnes has also praised Braga's character in the past, especially after games when the forward rescued points for the Jambos out of nothing.

But the relationship isn't one sided, which may be music to the ears of Gers fans.

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Whether Braga would be open to a move to Ibrox is unknown, but it would certainly throw another spanner in the works for Hearts.

It seemed like the Jambos were set to build on last season's progress, but Rangers have stripped them of everything good about their success last campaign.

Braga is also a fan of the new Gers boss, which could give them an edge in the race for his signature.

While speaking to Premier Sports TV last season, Braga said: "When he talks, everybody listens, and he can be this serious mad guy, but at the same time he can say crazy jokes out of nowhere.

"He's helped me a lot with my performances and a lot of other players in our team."