Paulo Sergio: I won't tear-up Jim Jefferies' Hearts masterplan

Aug 3 2011 By Scott McDermott

NEW Hearts boss Paulo Sergio last night revealed he will stick with the tactics of the man Vladimir Romanov ruthlessly axed on Monday.

The Portuguese gaffer took training at Riccarton with his new team alongside owner Romanov before paying tribute to Jim Jefferies.

And Sergio insisted he won't rip up his predecessor's gameplan for tomorrow's Europa League return against Paksi after the Scot earned a 1-1 away result last week.

Now, however, it's Sergio's job to get the Jambos over the finishing line - even though he admitted any triumph will be largely down to Jefferies.

The 43-year-old ex-Sporting Lisbon manager said: "We're not going to change a lot of things the team has already been doing for the game on Thursday.

"But I'm very much excited and proud to be at Hearts. I respect the work of Jim and his past - but now the directors have invited me to work at the club.

"It's an honour for me and I'm going to do my best to be successful at Tynecastle. I've always had an ambition to come and work in British football so I'm happy. I don't think I know everything, though.

"I'm a humble guy and I'm sure I'm going to learn here too.

"I just hope to get good results and bring good football to Hearts."

In another bizarre day at Tynecastle, Sergio's official unveiling as Hearts gaffer was postponed late in the afternoon and put off until today.

Earlier, he had arrived at the club's training ground and met with the players before taking his first session with his backroom team Sergio Cruz, Alberto Cabral and first-team coach Gary Locke, whose future is still undecided.

Romanov also turned up and surprised staff when he changed into an Umbro training kit with his initials on it.

The madcap Lithuanian then stayed for the entire two-hour session - having a long chat with Andy Webster and even taking a penalty at Jambos keeper Jamie MacDonald, which the shot-stopper saved!

Romanov left just before the end of training when Sergio had his final chat with his squad.

Then, at 1.30pm, the Portuguese stayed at Riccarton to watch a 'bounce' game against SPL side Dunfermline, which was arranged for Hearts players coming back from injury.

future First-team stars Andy Driver, Mehdi Taouil, Rudi Skacel, Arvydas Novikovas and Scott Robinson all played against the Pars, in a bid to prove their fitness before the clash with Paksi tomorrow.

Sergio insists he is now fully focused on beating the Hungarians in his first game in charge but is adamant he won't tinker with Jefferies' team too much for the crucial Europa League match.

He said: "I really liked the first contact I had with the group, with the players and with all the people working here at Hearts.

"We started working on Tuesday morning and we're going to try to begin to pass our ideas on to the players at every opportunity we can get.

"Of course, we know it's an important game for the club and all we're thinking about is winning the match."

Sergio will face the media for the first time tomorrow after he was installed by Romanov as a replacement for Jefferies and his righthand man Billy Brown. The pair guided Hearts to third place in the SPL last season and started the current campaign with a 1-1 draw at Ibrox against champions Rangers. But after the Jambos were defeated 1-0 by Dundee United at Tynecastle on Sunday, Romanov wielded the axe - paving the way for Sergio to take over.

The Portuguese boss' six-month spell at Sporting ironically included a Europa League loss to Rangers in the last 32 of the c o m p e t i t i o n i n February - a result which contributed to his downfall at the club.

After the third qualifying round, second leg against Paksi tomorrow in the capital, Sergio will experience the SPL for the first time on Sunday when his side travel to Fir Park to face Stuart McCall's unbeaten Motherwell.

Taken from the Daily Record