Paulo Sergio admits he's dreamt of Jamie Walker scoring the opening goal of Sunday's Scottish Cup Final against Celtic.
And the former Hearts boss revealed he's devastated there won't be any fans in the ground and believes more should have been done to get some in.
The 2012 Scottish Cup winning boss follows the Tynecastle club regularly since leaving them shortly after the 5-1 win over Hibs, and hopes they'll be celebrating again on Sunday.
And while he's backed the likes of Steven Naismith and MIchael Smith to play big roles in the game, he hopes to see boyhood Hearts fan Walker shine on the Hampden stage.
He said: “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, for me, represents the Hearts spirit is Michael Smith.
“In important moments Smith will appear and make something special 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.
“A fan of Hearts and born in the club. I pray for him to be very happy on Sunday.
Sergio loved the atmosphere when Hearts won the cup in 2012 and he insists it's not right that there's not at least 5000 fans inside the national stadium for the game.
He reckons the government and SFA should have done more to help get some in attendance and keep them socially distanced.
He added: “I think it’s a disappointment not to have fans at a final like this. And I really believe that, if the people in charge wanted it, they could find solutions.
“They could have 5000 or 6000 fans at Hampden. That would not be a problem.
“They could even ask for COVID tests from all of this 6000. They could put people in with social distancing, organise the way people go into the stadium and go out.
“I think it would be possible.
“An important game like this without fans is not the same. It’s like eating without salt and pepper.
"The way I felt about a Portuguese club when I was young is the same way I feel about Hearts.
“Every day I am following what’s happening. I am in contact with Lockey. It is great memories for me in my actual life.”
