Sergio seeing Walker glory in his dreams

PAULO SERGIO is dreaming of a Jamie Walker opener and a famous Hearts victory in Sunday’ s Scottish Cup final against Celtic. A modicum of justice at the end of a terrible year for the club he still loves.

Forever a hero to Jambos fans for masterminding their 2012 triumph in the tournament, the Portuguese coach may have left Tynecastle feeling ‘ betrayed’ after being asked to take a 50 per cent pay cut.

But his lingering attachment to the club meant he viewed last season’ s premature relegation as more than just an insult.

‘It was a huge punch in the stomach for a club that has built i tself back up f r om financial problems,’ said Sergio. ‘ I think i t was a political decision by clubs in the second division (the Championship) and it was totally unfair.

‘I think it can play a small role in the final — and they could use it as motivation.

‘I dream that Jamie Walker scores the first goal for Hearts on Sunday. I don’t know why.

‘ Hearts have experienced players and boys who can score in any game. Steven Naismith can score goals.

‘ One player who, f or me, represents the Hearts spirit is Michael Smith. In important moments, he will appear and make s omething s pecial happen.

‘ But I will stick with this feeling I have about Jamie Walker. It’s important for him. He is a Hearts man born and bred. I pray for him to be very happy on Sunday.’

Sergio has special memories f rom the 2012 f i nal, a 5- 1 win over city r i vals Hibs t hat s parked uproarious celebrations f r om Mount Florida all the way back to Edinburgh. Even if the party didn’t last.

‘I have enormous feeling for this football club. For the rest of our lives, we keep in touch with some players, with Gary Locke and people around Edinburgh. It is great. I am very proud of it,’ stated Sergio.

‘ But we ( Sergio and the Hearts executives) met on the Monday or Tuesday to speak.

‘ I felt like I was betrayed because I didn’t l ook f or anything for my future.

‘I was not demanding much more money. I had stayed in the same contract. But in that moment, when they proposed me half of what was my salary, I was very disappointed and I couldn’t accept that. That moment was very sad.

‘I stayed six or seven games of the new season and then I went to Cluj. It was disappointing.

‘ I really didn’t know the financial situation of Hearts.’

Sergio was left distraught by the early death of Scottish Cupwi nni ng c a pt a i n Marius Zaliukas in October.

He would be delighted if the club could win the trophy in his honour.

‘He was a fantastic man,’ said Sergio. ‘ He was like a clown, always having a joke. Everyone laughed with him and he was a fantastic mate.

‘Sometimes people thought: “Oh, Marius is the friend of Vladimir Romanov. He’s here not for the good things”. But he proved the opposite. We all trusted him a lot.’