Source: Team_Talk
Sergio backs Hearts supporters
Paulo Sergio has backed the "incredible" Hearts support to make headlines for the right reasons as Celtic visit Tynecastle on Sunday afternoon.[LNB] The game is a rematch of the encounter in May which saw the visitors run out comfortable 3-0 winners.[LNB]But the fixture, which took place in a poisonous atmosphere, gained infamy as an individual burst on to the pitch and attacked the Hoops' boss Neil Lennon. Culprit John Wilson was later found guilty of breach of the peace.[LNB]The current Hearts boss Sergio described the incident as "unacceptable" but fully expects the focus to be back on football this weekend.[LNB]"It's the kind of thing that shouldn't happen in football," the former Sporting Lisbon coach insisted.[LNB]"I respect all of my opponents, and I hope all we are talking about on Sunday is football.[LNB]"We have the best crowd in Scotland, they are incredible, and I'm sure we will receive our visitors well.[LNB]"It was the kind of thing that can happen, but it was an isolated case.[LNB]"We are not thinking about this issue ahead of the match - we are working on how to prepare our players and how to win the match.[LNB]While the Portuguese expects a degree of control among the fans, there could be fireworks in the dugout as two passionate managers and strong personalities clash.[LNB]In fact, the pair have already encountered each other during a pre-season friendly between Sporting Lisbon and Celtic in Boston, and the Hearts boss admits they are unlikely to find much common ground in Gorgie.[LNB]"I met Neil in Boston when we played," the Hearts boss recalled with a smile. "During the game we had discussions and didn't always agree.[LNB]"We want the best for our teams and sometimes we didn't agree on the referee's decisions, but at the end of the game I offered him my hand - it's normal, it's football."[LNB]Aside from a passionate support and dugout theatrics, the 43-year old has warned his players to focus on the match - not the occasion.[LNB]The Jambos are unbeaten at home in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League under Sergio - a fact which has gone some way to assuage criticisms of the club's dismal away form - and the visit of Celtic will undoubtedly test Tynecastle's fortress credentials.[LNB]"We should be cool in our head every game," he continued. "We should focus on the football and get the three points.[LNB]"All emotional things around the match are for the fans and the people, and not for the professionals."
