After a 4-2 loss at Ibrox on 16/02/2026, Claudio Braga describes a united Hearts dressing room and the team’s resolve to stay focused on the premiership title
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Heart of Midlothian striker Claudio Braga offered a clear view of the mood inside the Tynecastle squad after a dramatic encounter at Ibrox. On 16/02/2026, Hearts led twice against Rangers but ultimately left Govan beaten 4-2. Braga, who marked the afternoon with a powerful header that was his 14th goal of the season, admitted the result stung but stressed that the group reaction was constructive rather than destructive.
He emphasised that the team’s unity remains the decisive factor in their ongoing challenge for the Scottish Premiership.
The forward, aged 26, described how senior figures and younger players alike spoke openly in the away dressing room. That frank exchange reinforced a shared perspective: one loss will not derail a campaign built over many matches.
Braga underlined that the squad has been together through 27 fixtures of an exceptional run and must keep that solidarity for the remaining 11 games. His message was simple—acknowledge the disappointment, process the lessons, then focus on the next fixture.
What happened at Ibrox and the immediate reaction
The match itself swung dramatically. Hearts went ahead twice through a first-half effort from Marc Leonard and then Braga’s strong header, only for the home side to fight back. A Michael Steinwender own goal and a hat-trick from Youssef Chermiti turned the tie in Rangers’ favour, producing the 4-2 scoreline. Despite the individual quality on display from Braga, he made it clear that a personal goal offered little consolation when three points slipped away. In the dressing room, however, the ethos was to convert frustration into motivation; players expressed their feelings and listened to each other with a view to improving together.
Team unity as the cornerstone of the title push
Braga painted a picture of a close-knit squad where leaders and role models use their experience to guide conversations. He noted that while the older players often take the lead, every member of the group is encouraged to speak up. That democratic approach—where everyone’s voice is heard—has been a foundation for Hearts staying atop the table since September. The striker argued that his side do not feel overwhelmed by pressure; rather, they are enjoying the challenge of disrupting the long-standing duopoly at the summit of Scottish football.
Handling pressure and expectations
There was extensive chatter ahead of the fixture about which club carried more expectation. Braga echoed manager Derek McInnes in suggesting that traditional title-winning outfits are expected to bear pressure by default. He believes Hearts can savour this unique opportunity without being crushed by it. The striker described the sensation as a positive kind of pressure—one that motivates and galvanises rather than paralyses. With their lead trimmed to two points after the defeat, Hearts still hold first place and must manage fixtures that are, in Braga’s words, largely favourable.
Lessons taken and the path forward
Analysing the game, Braga identified key tactical moments that cost his team. He suggested that a couple of needless passes and some lapses in concentration allowed Rangers to regain control. Still, he insisted these are fixable margins rather than structural failings. The immediate priority is to recover mentally and refocus on the upcoming home fixtures — matches Braga views as crucial opportunities to reassert their position. The dressing-room conversation, he said, set clear expectations: take the disappointment, strip out the errors and attack the next match with renewed intensity.
The role of leadership and continuity
Braga emphasised the role of manager Derek McInnes in creating a family atmosphere at Tynecastle. He praised the leadership within the squad and the clarity of the manager’s message following the loss. That institutional continuity—trust in a common process and a belief in shared effort—forms the backbone of Hearts’ campaign. As Braga put it, the group gives everything for each other and will not abandon that principle because of one defeat.
Ultimately, the narrative emerging from Hearts after Ibrox is one of resilience. The players have acknowledged the setback, spoken openly about it in the away dressing room, and now plan to channel the experience into better performances. With a narrow margin at the top of the table and important home fixtures approaching, Hearts’ response over the coming weeks will determine whether this moment becomes a learning milestone or an inflection point in their bid for the premiership title.
