WE STILL HAVE BRAGA RIGHTS

Mclnnes knows striker offers goal threat

- BY ANDY NEWPORT

Braga knows his way to goal just as well as Shankland (inset)

HEARTS may have lost their leading man for the foreseeable future.

But Derek McInnes is vinced Claudio Braga can be side's lone star attraction up top after reviewing the frontman' past catalogue of work.

With Lawrence Shankland sidelined until the back end of next month, the Gorgie gaffer is searching for someone to step up and fill his talisman's boots.

Tt was Braga who did his best to do just that on Sunday with a sensational first 45 minutes at Ibrox, with the Portuguese ace bagging a goal and an assist as the Jambos' solo striker.

His brave efforts weren't enough to prevent the 4-2 defeat in Govan, though, which means Danny Rohl’ resurgent Rangers are now breathing down Hearts’ necks, only two points behind.

But they have offered his boss encouragement as he awaits Shankland’s return to the titlerace stage.

And McInnes revealed he was convinced that Braga could hold down the burden of leading the line on his own having reviewed the 26-year-old’s highlights reel from his two years playing with Moss and Aalesunds in the Norwegian second tier.