Sergio Keen To Stay At Hearts

Last updated : 27 April 2012 By Ed_ScottishFitba

HeartsDespite all the problems with Scottish football, Paulo Sergio has confirmed he wants to still be working at Tynecastle next season. Sergio's contract runs out at the end of the season and how he and his side perform over the final four league games and in the first all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup final since 1896 on 19 May may decide his future fate. Payment delays have tested Sergio's diplomatic skills while encouraging his players to deliver some quality football. He hope he can persuade the club that eh deserves to still be the manager next season.  He said: "I want to stay. In the right moment we will see if that's possible or not. We are speaking about that (contract talks). I'm here every single day. I don't do anything else unless living a Hearts life. At the moment I just eat and sleep. I didn't come here to be on holiday. I work every single minute I can. I hope we can be happy in the end."
 
Sergio is a student of football and has expressed concerns in the past over how the game in Scotland can survive. And this was before the full implications of how Scottish football will be affected by the fall out from Rangers troubles. Sergio believes Rangers survival is crucial for the future health of the Scottish game. The Hearts manager said: "I have a strong feeling that Rangers need at this moment every help they can get to survive. I believe Scottish football needs a strong Rangers. Sometimes if you're taking these kind of decisions, probably one of these days we won't have the SPL. If you don't protect the clubs, maybe the SPL will to disappear. You have to be careful."
 
Sergio praised the Hearts board, for easing the financial concerns which resulted in a number of monthly salary dates being missed, and also his players who sit sixth in the SPL with four games to go. He added: "We have to give credit to our players for what they did and the way they helped our board to deal with the problems. We shouldn't forget achieving the semi-final and the final of the cup brings a lot of joy - and some money too. For my players all my congratulations. But it's not finished. They should keep playing and continue like that."
 
Tomorrow's game against Dundee United could see a return for  forward Mehdi Taouil (back) who has returned to fitness while Craig Beattie's heel problem has now cleared up. There remains a doubt over striker Stephen Elliott (foot) for the trip to Tannadice. Sergio anticipates a difficult game against a United side striving to overhaul Motherwell to claim third place in the SPL. He added: "The position they have in the league shows their quality. We know we should be at our best level to get a good result there. We're going to play against a very good team. We should respect them and do everything we can to get a good result there."