HEARTS HAVE A LOT TO BRAGA ABOUT

Jambos stroll it at Rugby Park as Claudio turns on the style

- BY BILL MCINTYRE

CLAUDIO BRAGA sent his band gaga as Hearts charged five clear at the top of the table.

The hitman was serenaded from the start by the supporters' new chant to the tune of the Queen song - and his payback was stunning.

Braga produced razor-sharp second-half reactions to a dream double as Derek McInnes' men punished errors from their hosts.

Craig Halkett set the leaders on their way with his three goal in three games perfect timing as the club start negotiations on a new deal.

It was sore for Kilmarnock Stuart Kettlewell, just a second topflight loss of the term and made worse by the fact each of the Hearts goals came from his team's own mistakes.

Killie threatened first as David Watson's fierce strike drew a stop from Alexander Schwolow.

But a set-piece opened the door for McInnes' men and Halkett was unchallenged to bullet home a header from Harry Milne's corner.

Braga doubled the lead 12 minutes. Alexandros Kyziridis' effort was weakly palmed out by keeper Eddie Beach and the Portugueses slammed home the rebound. The pair soon combined again and Braga displayed a blurring shift of feet to knock home the third and seal the points.

Here's the five key talking points...

BRILLIANT BRAGA

No wonder the Portuguese striker is already a huge favourite with fans.

His finishing is sublime and the work he puts into the contest earns just as many plaudits.