PREMIER LEAGUE - BRUNO RIPS INTO GERS 3RD RATERS

BRUNO AGUIAR last night rubbed salt in Rangers' Euro wounds by insisting Hearts will deny them Champions League football AGAIN next year.

The Portuguese midfielder has played a major part in Jambos' second-place SPL finish since arriving from Benfica in the January transfer window.

And the 25-year-old believes the Tynecastle club is poised to become one of the country's big two on a long-term basis.

He said: "We have been better than Rangers throughout the season and our results bear this out.

"We are well set up to outdo them again next season. Hearts want to become one of the major powers in Scottish football.

"I was optimistic we'd finish second. It's the first time Hearts have ever been in the Champions League and I am so proud.

"Since beating Aberdeen to clinch second place it has been one long party."

Aguiar reckons his part in the Tynecastle success story proves Ronald Koeman was wrong to force him out of Benfica.

He said: "Koeman didn't have confidence in me. I was playing under Giovanni Trappatoni but it changed when he took over.

"I believe I can play at a high level and my move to Hearts has been positive. I am doing what I enjoy every week.

"Now I am only thinking of the Champions League which will be special. I am convinced Hearts can qualify for the second phase."

Taken from the Sunday Mail