Source: FOOTYMAD
Sergio Makes Good First Impression
Paulop Sergio can relax a bit as he has secured his first win under the watchful gaze of Vladimir Romanov Paulo Sergio was able to keep his bags unpacked after Jim Jefferies team ran out convincing winnings over Paks last night. The 4-1 win (5-2 on aggregate) ensure the Tynecastle side will be in today's Europa League play-off draw. The Portuguese coach was quick to recognise that it was his predecessor who should be congratulated and dedicated the win to Jefferies. The new Hearts manager oversaw a rampant display which could have been in some way the players response to the behind the scenes moves at manager level. Ryan Stevenson scored twice in 12 first-half minutes, with Andrew Driver marking his return from injury with a well-worked third after 50 minutes and Rudi Skacel celebrating his six-month contract extension (signed earlier in the day) with an easy fourth 19 minutes from time. The visitors did get a consolation goal very late in the game thanks to Daniel Bode. Sergio said: "I have to dedicate this victory to Mr Jefferies. There's a lot of him in this result. I think we had a very good game. The second goal was very important for us. There were some things I didn't like too, but with time we will improve those things." If Sergio was worried how his appearance in the home dugout would be received prior to the game, he needed have been concerned. As he stood confidently to his place on the sidelines, he received a rousing reception from Hearts fans, who chanted the name of both of the men who have been in charge of Hearts this week. He may have appeared calm but the former Sporting Lisbon boss revealed he was less relaxed than normal. He said: "I was more nervous than usual. But you can imagine if you don't know your players as well as you wish you're a little bit anxious. But generally they gave a very good answer and I'm happy with them." Sergio anticipated the warm welcome and acknowledged the crowd's continual chants of approval, which was a new experience. He added: "It was very nice, I'm not used to that. It's not the kind of thing Portuguese supporters do. I appreciated it a lot and say thank you to everybody. I'm not surprised. I know already we have great supporters and intelligent people. They understand." Of course, a fine European win made it easy for the fans to come to terms with the change of manager. If Stevenson's first was fortunate, as Paks goalkeeper Norbert Csernyanszki fumbled his 34th-minute header, then the second was deserved as he scored from substitute John Sutton's pass in first-half stoppage time. Driver and Skacel were also on target as the rout rendered the need to relay on the away goal scored by Jamie Hamill in the first-leg in Szekesfehervar irrelevant. Sergio has high standards and he was frustrated with the goal conceded. He said: "(Goalkeeper Marian) Kello didn't deserve that, after 89 minutes. I also think we had chances to score one more." Rangers and Celtic are also in the play -off draw along with another 73 sides, including the likes of Atletico Madrid, Panathinaikos, Anderlecht, Paris St Germain, Spartak Moscow and Sergio's former club Sporting. Asked who he feared the most, Sergio said: He added: "If it has to be (Sporting), it will be - no problem. It's a complicated competition. You can find a very tough opponent in the next round. We have to be a team of courage. We don't have to fear anybody. If we get a big team, let's see how we fight that fight." Stephen Elliott went off in the first half with a dead leg and captain Marius Zaliukas was forced off at half-time and both are doubtful for Sunday's match at Motherwell. Adrian Mrowiec played despite a fever, while Sergio revealed David Obua's absence was due to injury. Paks manager Karoly Kis conceded his side were second best tonight. Kis said: "It was a lot of fighting one against one and we didn't win in enough situations. I'm very happy with my players, because this was a big day for us, but not every player was at 100% today and we needed every player to be at 100%. I hope Hearts go to the group stage. After the draw it will be easier to say. I need to congratulate both trainers. The former trainer (Jefferies) who did a very good job and the current trainer (Sergio) because he won this match."
